Deep Sea Minerals Advances U.S., Cook Islands Critical Mineral Pathways Amid Policy Shifts — Deep Sea Minerals Corp.

Event summary

Deep Sea Minerals Corp. is advancing critical mineral initiatives in the U.S. through NOAA's modernized DSHMRA permitting process and a federally funded hydrographic survey exceeding 30,000 square nautical miles.
The company is also pursuing concession pathways within the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, reinforced by a February 2026 framework for cooperation with the U.S. on critical minerals research.
NOAA announced revisions to streamline deep seabed exploration licenses and commercial recovery permit applications under DSHMRA in January 2026.
The Cook Islands extended its seabed minerals exploration program timeline, reflecting ongoing scientific work and a precautionary approach.

The big picture

Deep Sea Minerals' strategic update reflects the accelerating U.S. policy focus on securing critical mineral supply chains, with NOAA's permitting reforms and expanded mapping efforts signaling increased institutional momentum. The company's parallel workstreams in the Cook Islands and U.S. highlight the growing importance of structured, data-supported offshore mineral activity within a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.

What we're watching

Regulatory Momentum: How NOAA's permitting modernization and expanded mapping activity will accelerate U.S. offshore critical minerals strategy.
Geopolitical Alignment: Whether the Cook Islands' cooperation with the U.S. will solidify its role as a key jurisdiction for seabed mineral exploration.
Market Dynamics: The pace at which U.S.-led critical minerals trade bloc initiatives will diversify global supply chains away from China.