Lockheed eyes deep-sea mining amid US mineral security push
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Lockheed Martin is reactivating interest in two deep-sea mining licenses it acquired more than four decades ago. These US-held licenses, first granted in the 1980s, cover strategic regions of the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area rich in polymetallic nodules critical to modern technologies. The aerospace and defense contractor is now in early-stage discussions with private companies that may eventually develop the sites.
This development marks a pivot in Lockheed’s broader resource strategy. In 2023, the company divested its UK Seabed Resources unit, which held a parallel license issued through the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority. That license was acquired by Norway’s Loke Marine Minerals. However, Lockheed retained US jurisdictional licenses through NOAA’s Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. With growing geopolitical tensions and rising demand for critical minerals, those legacy assets are gaining new relevance.
Unlike traditional terrestrial mining, seabed mineral exploration has remained largely speculative for decades due to regulatory, technical, and environmental barriers. Now, Lockheed’s renewed interest places it at the center of a resurging conversation on how the United States can leverage untapped ocean resources to support national security and energy transition efforts.
A critical minerals strategy tied to US national security goals
The timing of Lockheed’s renewed focus is deliberate. In April 2025, a US executive order was issued to streamline approvals for seabed mining projects. The order, framed around “national economic and security interests,” called for expedited permitting in both territorial and international waters. It also mandated assessments of US critical mineral reserves sourced from nontraditional environments, including ocean floors.
Critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese are essential to advanced electronics, clean energy storage, and defense systems. The Biden and Trump administrations alike have voiced concern over China’s dominant position in global mineral supply chains. More than half of rare earth processing and nearly 70 percent of cobalt refining is managed by China-based firms. These concerns have spurred a US response involving domestic mining, recycling, and now offshore exploration.
Lockheed Martin, long connected to the US Department of Defense, is increasingly positioning itself as a key player in mineral resource security. While the firm is unlikely to mine seabed resources directly, its licenses serve as a form of strategic leverage. Discussions are underway with third-party operators who may develop and extract the minerals under Lockheed’s regulatory cover.
Clarion-Clipperton Zone emerges as a focal point for extraction
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located between Hawaii and Mexico, has emerged as one of the most promising deep-sea mining regions. Spanning nearly 4.5 million square kilometers, the area contains more than 21 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules. These nodules are rich in metals with average compositions that include up to 30 percent combined nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper by weight.
Compared with land-based mining, where refining waste and geopolitical risk are common, the CCZ offers wide areas of seafloor containing nodules that can be collected with minimal overburden. However, the depths often exceed 13,000 feet and require advanced robotic systems and specialized vessels.
Several nations and companies have targeted the CCZ for future extraction. Norway, through both state-linked and private ventures, has invested in deep-sea capabilities. China has expanded exploration licensing across multiple subsea zones, including within the CCZ. Lockheed’s position is unique because its licenses are domestically issued by the United States and offer a potential regulatory shortcut if domestic permitting accelerates.
Environmental and legal challenges still cloud deep-sea mining
Despite growing commercial interest, deep-sea mining remains legally uncertain. The International Seabed Authority, which governs mining in international waters, has not finalized its Mining Code. The code will include environmental protections, royalty structures, and operational standards. Until that is complete, a de facto moratorium limits full-scale commercial activity.
Opposition to seabed mining is growing. As of mid-2025, 37 countries including France, Chile, and several Pacific Island nations have endorsed a pause on mining until more scientific data and stronger safeguards are in place. Environmental groups have also raised concerns. Studies show that sediment plumes from mining may persist for decades, disrupting marine ecosystems and potentially releasing toxic metals.
A 26-year marine study by the German Research Center for Geosciences found that even limited test mining had long-term effects on microbial and macrofaunal recovery. These findings have shaped a strong global caution against rushing into full-scale ocean mineral extraction.
Lockheed’s decision to revisit its mining rights is expected to draw attention. While the company has stated that it is only engaged in exploratory discussions, any move toward development would trigger regulatory reviews and public debate.
Regulation, partnerships, and environmental scrutiny
Several developments are anticipated in the second half of 2025. The ISA is expected to continue Mining Code negotiations during upcoming sessions in Jamaica. US agencies, including NOAA and the Department of Defense, will likely review Lockheed’s license status and assess any changes in partnership structure.
Privately, Lockheed may pursue agreements with firms experienced in subsea operations. This would allow the company to retain strategic involvement while leaving execution to experienced marine technology operators.
At the same time, environmental groups and regional governments are monitoring developments. Should Lockheed advance beyond early-stage talks into project planning, it will face heightened scrutiny over impact assessments, stakeholder consultations, and compliance obligations.
Lockheed Martin’s renewed engagement with seabed mining reveals how legacy licenses and national strategies are beginning to converge. But without a complete legal framework and proven ecological protections, its next steps remain both politically complex and technically demanding.
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