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The Metals Company and Allseas Announce Successful Completion of Harbor Wet-Test Commissioning of Robotic Polymetallic Nodule Collector Vehicle
Allseas-designed pilot nodule collector vehicle was deployed from the Hidden Gem vessel and lowered to the seafloorAll critical functions of the pilot
About this update from Tmc The Metals Company Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Allseas-designed pilot nodule collector vehicle was deployed from the Hidden Gem vessel and lowered to the seafloorAll critical functions of the pilot collector vehicle were successfully tested ahead of full pilot nodule collection trials in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean later this yearUpcoming trials in TMC’s NORI-D contract area are expected to include deployment of a four-kilometer-long riser, an umbilical that provides power and control during seafloor operations, and a 500-meter-long flexible jumper hose to connect to the collector vehicle NEW YORK, March 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Metals Company (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), an explorer of the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, today announced the successful deployment and wet-test commissioning of the pilot robotic nodule collector vehicle together with the Company’s strategic partner and shareholder, Allseas Group S.A. (“Allseas”). During the harbor wet-test commissioning undertaken at the Port of Rotterdam, the Allseas-designed pilot collector vehicle underwent extensive equipment testing and all systems were shown to be fully functional. Key features and functions of the robotic vehicle including pumps, nozzles, manual and auto operating modes were successfully put through their paces while multiple operators gained extensive training on the equipment. “This is an important milestone and I am grateful to have such a competent and capable partner in Allseas to get us this far,” said Gerard Barron, CEO & Chairman of The Metals Company. “With Allseas managing the design, assembly and testing of the pilot collection system, I believe we have the best minds in the business on the case. We expect to learn a great deal from the testing program this year. So far, things have gone smoothly but I am sure the Allseas team will have their share of challenges to solve along the way. Allseas and TMC share a desire to advance the NORI project swiftly and in a capital-conscious manner. We anticipate that the pilot system being tested by Allseas will be the basis for our first commercial production system — and last week we announced a non-binding term sheet outlining the overall framework and potential commercial terms for such an upgrade.” With initial wet-testing of the pilot collector vehicle now complete, All...