The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today published a request for information and interest (RFI) regarding the development of critical minerals off the coast of Virginia.
The federal agency, part of the Department of the Interior, launched the RFI after receiving an unsolicited request on 13 November from US-based deep sea firm Odyssey Marine Exploration.
The company seeks a mineral lease sale for an approximately 1.8mn acre (7,160 km²) area off the coast of the Delmarva peninsula. Odyssey aims to target heavy mineral sands, rare earth elements and phosphates, according to the company.
The notice does not signify that BOEM will make a lease offer for commercial development.
Responses to the RFI are due by 23 July.
US president Donald Trump signed an executive order to fast-track seabed mineral exploration and mining for critical minerals in April 2025, aiming to expedite the review process for issuing exploration and commercial recovery permits.
