Deep sea mining frontrunner set to sidestep UN oversight — pivots to US
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Deep sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company (TMC) has confirmed it will not apply for a mining license through the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in J

![Greenpeace activists protesting around MV Coco, a specialized vessel collecting data for The Metals Company in November 2023. [Photo: Greenpeace / Martin Katz] Greenpeace activists protesting](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/greenpeace_protesting_data_vessel_copy.jpg?itok=EcppjBVG)
![Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa at the 99th USP Council Meeting in Auckland. [ RNZ Pacific: Lydia Lewis] SAMOA Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fiame.jpeg?itok=DxFMCSvm)



![Captain Kalani Kahalioumi said that sailing conditions were perfect, and the crew is filled with young and old, “which was a training experience for both sides.” [screen shot from video] Captain Kalani Kahalioumi](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/captain_kalani_kahalioumi_.png?itok=XbdQlHTI)

![Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring Memorial Day 2025, and the memories of all the U.S. Service Members who gave their lives in service of the country. In this file photo, the Congresswoman visited a memorial to the heroic life of Sgt. Tina Safaira Time, who grew up in American Samoa and died in service to our country, displayed at the Army Women’s Museum in Virginia. [file photo] Amata at memorial](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_with_memorial.jpeg?itok=fU_d67T1)

