ASEDA signs MOU that could lead to deep sea nodule collaboration

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A leading U.S. innovator in rare earth element (REE) and critical mineral refining, announced yesterday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA), looking to create opportunities in the territory for new infrastructure, industrial, commercial and residential development.

Samoa News should point out that the MOU seems to signal a move by the local government (ASG) to support undersea mining despite opposing the proposed seabed mining operations in the waters surrounding American Samoa in a video announcement released by the Governor’s Office in the latter part of June 2025.

A town hall, hosted by ASG and held in July 2025, where both sides of the deepsea mining issue was discussed, included a memorable comment from House Representative Alex Jennings, the only faipule to attend the town hall:

“Is there really any chance that we can stop the federal government from carrying out deep-sea mining? I really don’t think so,” he said.“Anything beyond three miles is no longer ours, regardless of what the Deed of Cession says. I’m sorry, but that’s what we’ve seen happen in the past.”

In the meantime, the 30-day public comment period for the Request for Information and Interest (RFI) for commercial leasing for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) seabed critical minerals offshore American Samoa was extended by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) from July 16, 2025 to August 15, 2025 in response to a request from the Governor of American Samoa.

THE MOU

The MOU between ASEDA and American Resources Corporation along with its holding in ReElement Technologies Corporation, outlines strategic goals for jointly investigating the development and deployment of a critical mineral refinery with a focus on deep sea nodules found in the American Samoa region.

The initiative will be consistent with the U.S. Department of Interior’s process for managing the environmentally- sustainable development of this region, the announcement said.

The major outcome is focusing on unlocking a vertically integrated critical mineral supply chain solution, combining ReElement's initial relationship with Impossible Metals' proprietary nodule collection technology with ReElement's innovative and industry-leading critical mineral refining platform to create a globally competitive, sustainable, and independent rare earth supply chain in the United States.

According to the release, key highlights of the MOU include:

• •        Focus on essential elements: Copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements which are prevalent in the local nodules.
• •        Joint commitment to explore a sustainable, non-China critical mineral supply chain to meet growing global demand.
• •        Military base installation: Explore options to leverage existing Defense Department infrastructure.
• •        Strategic collaboration to enhance and secure the global critical mineral value chain and identify further joint opportunities.
• •        Integration of ReElement's platform, delivering high-throughput, low-waste, cost-effective refining of ultra-pure critical minerals.
• •        End-to-end U.S. supply chain: From seabed mining in federal waters near American Samoa and refine locally.

The MOU follows President Trump's April 2025 Executive Order, Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources, which underscores the urgency of domestic collaboration across the exploration, harvesting, processing, and environmental stewardship of seabed mineral resources.

Additionally, as outlined in President Trump's March 2025 Executive Order, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, which promotes the placement of critical mineral refineries on federal military installations. This uniquely allow for ReElement's modular refining systems to operate and leverage government facilities on site.

Impossible Metals has played a direct role in shaping global policy on responsible seabed mining. At the regulatory level, Impossible Metals successfully requested the Department of the Interior to initiate permitting for deep sea minerals in U.S. federal waters and has personally updated members of the U.S. Congress on the importance of this unique feedstock.

Mark Jensen, CEO and Chairman of ReElement, commented, "Our team is excited to bring ReElement's advanced refining capabilities to this important mission and community. Plus working directly with a fellow Hoosier who is a true visionary will be very fulfilling and a full circle moment."

John Wasko, Executive Director of the American Samoa Economic Council (ASEDC), a private entity, added, "The community members of American Samoa are tremendously skilled, industrious and good natured. We feel that the technology platform ReElement can bring will unlock not only economic benefits but help secure critical mineral dominance as ordered by President Trump."

The agreement marks another milestone in the journey to deliver U.S.-processed, high-purity rare earth products to the global chain and reinforces both companies' commitment to building a resilient, environmentally sound and sustainable supply network.

BACKGROUND

Equally vocal groups in opposition to sea bed mining are making their opinions heard as well. Right to Democracy (RtD) and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition united in support of American Samoa’s right to protect its ocean and seabeds from deep seabed mining. The organizations drafted a petition to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), backed by residents and diaspora from the five U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About American Samoa Economic Development Authority

The American Samoa Economic Development Authority is a government entity under the purview of the Governor’s Office, that strives to promote economic development in the territory through collaborative efforts with private sector, business community, our people and government.

About American Samoa Economic Development Council

The American Samoa Economic Development Council is an NGO whose Executive Director is John Wasko.

About American Resources Corporation

American Resources Corporation is a leader in the critical mineral supply chain, developing innovative solutions both upstream and downstream of the refining process. The company and its affiliates focus on the extraction and processing of metallurgical carbon and iron ore, essential ingredients in steelmaking, as well as critical and rare earth minerals for the electrification market and recycled metals.

Leveraging its affiliation and former parent status of ReElement Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements, American Resources is investing in and developing efficient upstream and downstream critical mineral operations. These operations include mining interests in conventional and unconventional sources, recycling, and manufacturing.

For more information visit americanresourcescorp.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About ReElement Technologies Corporation

ReElement Technologies Corporation, a portfolio company of American Resources Corporation), is a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements. Its multi-mineral, multi-feedstock platform technology focuses on the refining of recycled material from rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries, concentrated ores and brines, as well as coal-based waste streams and byproducts to create a cost effective and environmentally-safe, circular supply chain. ReElement has developed its innovative and scalable "Powered by ReElement" process which collaboratively utilizes its exclusively licensed intellectual property within its partners' material processing flow sheets to more efficiently support the global supply chain's growing demand for magnet and battery-grade products.

For more information visit reelementtech.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.