Is Am Samoa poised to be the Asia-Pacific hub for seabed resources?

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Economic Development Authority executive director believes there could be 10 billion tons of valuable metals on the territory's seafloor.

John Wasko told the Pacific Island Times seabed resources will significantly change the geopolitical relationship of Pacific nations with industrial and military powers.

He said joint US military commands are assessing the possibility of making American Samoa the Asia-Pacific hub for mineral receiving and refining.

In November last year, the Economic Development Authority entered into a memorandum of understanding with California-based mining company Impossible Metals, to collaborate on extracting and processing the minerals.