Lockheed Martin has confirmed it is in talks with mining firms to open access to its long-held but undeveloped seabed mining licenses in the eastern Pacific. The move reflects surging interest in securing critical minerals as Western nations seek to diversify supply chains away from China’s dominance.

Lockheed Martin’s chief operating officer, Frank St John, said the defense giant is discussing potential partnerships with companies that specialize in deep-sea mining. These firms are eyeing the untapped deposits of vital minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese within Lockheed’s licensed areas.

While Lockheed has not assessed the deposits’ value in detail, St John said interested parties “have done the homework and determined there is value there.” The talks come as global demand rises for materials essential to electric vehicle batteries and defense technologies.

Lockheed’s renewed focus on its seabed assets follows former President Donald Trump’s executive order asserting America’s right to license mining in international waters. However, a de facto ban on such mining remains in place, and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is still negotiating environmental safeguards and regulatory frameworks.

Lockheed previously divested UK-backed licenses in 2023, signaling caution. Now, amid U.S. efforts to secure strategic minerals, Lockheed is pushing forward, citing the opportunity to set a “gold standard” for responsible deep-sea mining.

Strategic Minerals and Supply Chains

Lockheed is working with the Pentagon to secure resources vital to defense supply chains and has already established alternate sources for materials like germanium and titanium. The company is also investing directly in stockpiles through agreements with miners.

The ISA’s talks in Jamaica this month are crucial as 169 nations debate rules that will shape the future of deep-sea mining.