TMC Files Deep-Sea Mining Applications Under US Seabed Code

The Metals Company has submitted formal applications for a commercial recovery permit and two exploration licenses under the US seabed mining framework, advancing in its efforts to tap into deep-sea resources. This move follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump aimed at accelerating offshore mining to secure critical minerals, despite pushback from environmental organizations.

Through its US subsidiary, TMC USA, the company filed applications in accordance with the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) and the regulations issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), collectively forming the legal basis for seabed mining in US jurisdiction.

TMC’s license applications cover 199,895km² for exploration and 25,160km² for commercial recovery in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a Pacific region between Hawaii and Mexico known for its polymetallic nodule deposits. According to the company, these areas contain an estimated 1.63 billion wet mt of nodules, potentially expanding by another 500 million mt. These nodules are projected to yield approximately 15.5Mt of nickel, 12.8Mt of copper, 2Mt of cobalt, and 345Mt of manganese. 

“This represents a pivotal moment not only for TMC USA but for America’s mineral security and industrial renewal,” said CEO Gerard Barron. “We are providing a ready-to-deploy solution for critical mineral supply.”

The Trump administration promoted deep-sea mining as a strategic initiative to reduce reliance on foreign sources. White House estimates suggested the sector could create up to 100,000 jobs and generate substantial economic benefits over the next decade.

Environmental, Regulatory Concerns

Despite these ambitions, environmental concerns persist. Scientists and advocacy groups stress that the ecological consequences of deep-sea mining remain insufficiently understood. They call for more research before commercial operations begin, warning of risks to marine ecosystems.

Proponents argue that seabed mining is necessary to meet global demand, especially as the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a 40% increase in demand for copper and rare earth elements due to the transition to clean energy.

TMC has committed to leaving 30% of its contract areas untouched and says its new collector technology limits seabed disturbance to the top three centimeters. Still, the move may heighten global tensions. While TMC has operated in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone under permits from the UN-backed International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United States is not a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.