The Metals Company Applies for U.S. Deep-Sea Mining License

On April 29, 2025, The Metals Company (TMC), a Canadian firm specializing in seabed mineral exploration, submitted applications to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a commercial recovery permit and two exploration licenses under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). This move marks the first time a company has sought U.S. authorization to mine the deep seabed in international waters, specifically targeting a 25,160-square-kilometer area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean, rich in polymetallic nodules containing nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese.