SYDNEY, May 22, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Deep-sea mining companies face a blizzard of litigation if they forge ahead with "unlawful" plans backed by US President Donald Trump to dig critical minerals from the ocean floor, the head of the International Seabed Authority told AFP on Friday.

"I can envisage a big amount of litigation coming if this happens. This unilateral action will trigger many, many legal systems," International Seabed Authority Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho said.