A recent executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump to invest in deep sea mining operations could have dire environmental consequences, according to a northern Ontario mining expert.

Environmental groups are decrying an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to expedite deep-sea mining for ores and minerals, saying it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems and ignores an ongoing process to adopt international rules for the practice.

The US is looking to dramatically expand its efforts to churn up the seafloor in a new hunt for rare metals and critical resources. Supporters say the move could secure essential minerals and even lead to the discovery of new compounds,