Why it matters
The decision concerns U.S. permitting for a company seeking to pursue seabed mining. The article does not describe the potential economic or environmental effects of approval or denial.
What happens next
The company expects a NOAA decision by mid-December; the article does not say whether the agency has confirmed that timeline or indicate the likely outcome.
Whether NOAA issues a decision by mid-December.
Whether NOAA approves or denies the applications.