The Trump administration could green-light deep-sea mining for the first time

Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO of The Metals Company in San Diego, California on June 8, 2021. | Photo: Getty Images

The company that has pushed to open up the deep sea for mining is cozying up to the Trump administration after years of hitting roadblocks in international negotiations. 

The island nation of Nauru initially sponsored The Metals Company (TMC) and its deep-sea mining effort. In 2021, that triggered a race to develop regulations before TMC or any other company could begin...