NOAA finds TMC's deep-seabed mining application in full compliance

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NOAA Determines TMC USA’s Consolidated Deep-Seabed Mining Application is in Full Compliance

May 1, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Full compliance represents a key milestone in the regulatory approval process for TMC USAs consolidated exploration and commercial recovery applicationTMC USAs consolidated application submitted earlier this year covers areas previously applied for in April 2025 and increases the commercial recovery area from ~25,000 to ~65,000 km2, with an estimated resource of 619 million tonnes (Mt) of wet nodules and potential exploration upside of an additional 200 MtNOAAs updated regulatory framework allows applicants with exploration-phase data to submit a consolidated application for both an exploration license and commercial recovery permit, supporting a more efficient permitting timelineDetermination of full... More