TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) has welcomed a newly issued rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that updates the United States’ regulatory framework for deep seabed mineral exploration and commercial recovery in international waters.
- Final rule introduces a consolidated application and review process for exploration licences and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act
- Updated regulations reflect advances in environmental science, seafloor mapping, and offshore mineral‑collection technology
- New framework allows applicants to use exploration‑phase environmental, geological, and engineering data in commercial recovery applications, reducing duplication and improving regulatory efficiency
- TMC USA plans to submit a consolidated application under NOAA’s updated regulations and expects the streamlined review process to shorten timelines for securing a commercial recovery permit
The final rule, titled “Deep Seabed Mining: Revisions to Regulations for Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications,” was published in the Federal Register and came into effect on 21 January 2026. The updated framework modernises the implementation of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA), streamlining the pathway for U.S. companies seeking to explore for, and potentially recover, polymetallic nodules and other deep seabed hard minerals beyond national jurisdiction.
Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO, commented, “This new rule represents a meaningful modernisation of the U.S. regulatory framework for deep seabed nodule collection and acknowledges the significant advances the industry has made since the U.S. regime was first established. I would like to commend NOAA for its ability to mobilise resources and expertise and for recognising early on that delivering on the Executive Order’s directive to accelerate permitting required changes in existing regulations. The consolidated process is designed to reduce timelines while increasing efficiency and predictability for responsible operators. Importantly, this framework applies only to companies that have completed the necessary exploration, environmental, and technological development work. The updated regulations align well with TMC USA’s long‑term strategy and support a thoughtful transition from exploration to commercial production, and we look forward to submitting a consolidated application soon.”
In the Federal Register notice, NOAA stated that the objective of the rule is to “provide the option for a consolidated application streamlining the process for qualified applicants,” consistent with the Executive Order “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” which aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in critical mineral development.
NOAA highlighted the considerable technological progress in the sector over recent decades, noting that industry now possesses “substantial” exploration data and a growing readiness for commercial recovery. Under the revised framework, qualified companies may combine exploration and commercial recovery information within a single consolidated application and may directly incorporate environmental, geological, and engineering datasets generated during exploration work.
NOAA has played a central scientific and regulatory role in deep seabed mineral research since the 1970s. The agency has conducted multiple environmental campaigns in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), monitored early nodule collection trials, and published a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the CCZ in 1981. Its 1989 DSHMRA regulations have formed the basis of the United States’ long‑standing deep‑seabed licensing system, with several exploration licences renewed on a five‑year basis. The new rule updates this framework to reflect decades of accumulated environmental science and advances in deep‑ocean mining technology.
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