Tonga PM welcomes US deal to explore deep-sea minerals amid environmental concerns

<p>Exclusive:<strong> </strong>Pacific island’s new leader Lord Fakafānua discusses ‘exciting’ US partnership as critics fear impacts of seabed exploration</p><p>The recently elected leader of Tonga has described a deal to partner with the US on deep-sea mineral exploration as an “exciting development” amid concern in the small Pacific nation over the practice of seabed mining and the potential environmental impact.</p><p>Tonga is located in the South Pacific Ocean, a region attracting growing interest over whether <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/rare-earths">critical minerals</a> buried in the seabed could be extracted to help power industries and green technologies.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/24/tonga-us-deal-deep-sea-minerals-environmental-concern">Continue reading...</a>