Virginia Critical Minerals
A Shallow Water Dredging Project to Advance America’s Offshore Resource Independence.
PROJECTS
Offshore Virginia Critical Minerals
Odyssey submitted an Unsolicited Request for Lease Sale of Marine Mineral Exploration and Development Rights to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Odyssey’s request is among the first under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) of 1953 in U.S. jurisdiction under BOEM’s oversight.
The proposed area, located within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the Mid-Atlantic coast, is prospective for heavy mineral sands containing titanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements, with beneficial sand co-products that can support beach renourishment and coastal resilience projects. These materials are essential to modern life—from defense systems and domestic manufacturing to advanced technologies, electronics, and critical infrastructure.
If BOEM ultimately decides to hold a lease sale at the conclusion of its process and Odyssey becomes the successful bidder, the project would begin with the collection of comprehensive environmental and geological data to guide responsible resource assessment and project design.
If future environmental reviews, regulatory approvals, and project evaluations support commercial recovery, operations could utilize shallow-water dredging techniques that are already widely used for navigation, beach nourishment, and coastal resilience projects.
The proposed area was selected following extensive desktop analysis to avoid sensitive habitats, marine protected areas, known artificial reefs, and areas with significant competing ocean uses where practicable.
Project Snapshot
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One of the first OCSLA unsolicited lease requests for U.S. offshore critical minerals.
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Beneficial sand resources may support beach renourishment and coastal resilience projects
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If advanced through the federal review process, the project could utilize shallow-water dredging—a proven, regulated, and widely used offshore technique
Target Minerals
Heavy Minerals Sans enriched with titanium, zirconium and REE.
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RELATED PRESS RELEASES
December 15, 2025
November 07, 2025
Non-Technical Summary
The Offshore Virginia Project is a proposed effort to evaluate offshore heavy mineral sands and phosphate resources through a phased, science-based process that begins with exploration, data collection, and environmental review—not mining approval. The project is being considered through BOEM’s public regulatory process, with a focus on understanding resource potential, protecting marine ecosystems, and assessing opportunities to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains and support regional economic benefits.
Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides a concise overview of the Offshore Virginia Project, including the BOEM Request for Information process, the proposed exploration activities, environmental safeguards, and the potential role of offshore mineral resources in supporting U.S. supply chains. It is designed to answer common questions, clarify key facts, and help stakeholders understand the project’s phased, science-based approach and opportunities for public participation.
Comment on BOEM RFI
Odyssey’s RFI Comment outlines the company’s perspective on BOEM’s Request for Information process, emphasizing that the current stage is focused on gathering data, stakeholder input, and scientific information—not approving exploration or development activities. The comment supports a transparent, science-led review process and highlights the importance of environmental stewardship, informed decision-making, and the potential role offshore mineral resources could play in strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting economic opportunity.