The American Council for Capital Formation convened leaders from across government, industry, and the research community for a substantive, solutions-oriented discussion on the future of offshore critical minerals development.
More than 30 speakers participated, spanning the public and private sectors, with robust participation from key federal agencies responsible for oceans policy, permitting, science, and national security, including the U.S. Department of the Interior, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), US Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Their engagement underscored the whole-of-government coordination required to responsibly advance offshore mineral development.
A highlight of the day was a keynote conversation with Emmy Award winner Mike Rowe, Founder and CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, who emphasized the essential role of skilled workers and workforce readiness in translating policy ambition into real-world infrastructure and supply chain capacity.
Across panels, speakers tackled executive actions, regulatory frameworks, science-driven exploration, investment challenges, and international coordination—making clear that progress will depend on sustained public-private collaboration and regulatory clarity to meet accelerating global demand for critical minerals.
Thank you to all of our speakers, partners, and participants for making this an outstanding and forward-looking discussion.
And a special thank you to our sponsors, including Odyssey Marine Exploration, American Metal Inc., AOM, ADEPTH Minerals, Capital City City Ventures, Moana Minerals Ltd, National Ocean Industries Association, Deep Reach Technology, Inc., The Metals Company, Holland & Knight LLP, Wetstone, and Fugro.
Watch the livestream:
