Fears Trump's deep-sea mining order will irreparably harm ecosystems

Environmental groups are decrying an executive order signed by Donald Trump to expedite deep-sea mining for minerals, saying it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems and ignores an ongoing process to adopt international rules for the practice. Trump's Thursday order directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fast-track permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in both US and international waters. The move comes as China controls many critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese used in hi-tech manufacturing, including for military uses. Trump said his order "establishes the US as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration…