A federal proposal that could allow deep-sea mining near the Northern Mariana Islands is drawing growing attention. While federal officials have extended the public comment period, local leaders say it falls short of what’s needed for a thorough and responsible review. On the other hand, companies showing interest in the commercial leasing claim they can mitigate environmental impacts with AI-powered robots.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has extended the public comment period on a proposal that could open waters near the cnmi to deep-sea mineral mining. The new deadline is January 12. In a statement, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero says while the extension is "a step in the right direction, it is not enough."

She says Guam and the CNMI need a process that "truly reflects the complexity of these issues and respects the time it takes to consult our people, our scientists and our cultural leaders." Guam and CNMI leaders jointly asked for a four-month comment period, but federal officials approved only a 30-day extension.

As reported, under President Donald Trump’s directive, BOEM issued its request for information in November, beginning a process that could eventually lead to commercial mineral leasing east of the Marianas Trench Marine Monument, between Rota and Guam. Just before Monday, BOEM received over 881 public comments, many of them expressing environmental and cultural concerns, and some from interested companies like Impossible Metals, Inc.

The California-based corporation says it can mitigate environmental impacts with their AI-powered robots, or advanced underwater vehicles. "The robot uses camera based artificial intelligence to control its arms, selectively collecting nodules, while minimizing sediment disturbance and avoiding all visible life," said a company representative.

They want to harvest polymetallic nodules, to include nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. These small rocks are considered key manufacturing resources for defense and energy initiatives. The company says they’ll commit 1% of the profits to the CNMI, but local activists argue you can’t put a price tag on the ocean.

Monaeka Flores with Prutehi Guahan said, "When you really look at the value of our coral reefs, this is an industry that is worth millions more than that. So we really need to understand the risks and understand this has no real benefits for our islands in the Marianas."

In the meantime, the extension follows the administration’s advocacy in Washington, DC last week, with meetings led by Lieutenan Governor Josh Tenorio.

Adelup says he raised concerns directly with federal officials from the departments of defense and interior. Tenorio says "Guam cannot be an afterthought in federal decision-making", adding, "this extension alone does not address the deeper need for a process that fully includes Guam and the CNMI."

Back here on Guam, community advocacy has been growing. Prutehi Guahan held a protest and community meeting last Friday, urging residents to submit public comments. Flores said, "We don’t have to be experts. We don’t have to understand the law or the science. We just have to say why this matters and how it impacts our lives directly. This is our food security. This is the health of our ocean that keeps us safe in rising temperatures in a climate crisis."

Again, local leaders and advocates emphasize now is the time for the community to speak up, before any final decisions are made about deep-sea mining in the Marianas.