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TMC Welcomes NOAA Rule Modernizing Deep-Seabed Mining Permits for U.S. Companies in the High Seas
Final rule establishes a consolidated application and review process for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard
About this update from Tmc The Metals Company Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Final rule establishes a consolidated application and review process for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA)Updated regulations reflect advances in environmental science, seafloor mapping, and offshore mineral-collection technologiesNew framework allows applicants to rely on exploration-phase environmental, geological, and engineering data in commercial recovery applications, reducing duplication and improving regulatory efficiencyTMC USA intends to submit a consolidated application pursuant to NOAA’s updated regulations, and anticipates that the new consolidated review process will reduce the time required to secure a commercial recovery permit NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), a leading developer of the world’s largest resource of critical metals essential to energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure, today welcomed the new rule issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updating regulations governing deep seabed mineral exploration and commercial recovery. The final rule, titled “Deep Seabed Mining: Revisions to Regulations for Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications,” was published by NOAA in the Federal Register and became effective on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The rule updates NOAA’s regulations implementing DSHMRA and modernizes the federal permitting framework applicable to U.S. companies seeking to explore for and recover deep seabed hard mineral resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO of TMC, said: “This new rule represents a meaningful modernization 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 mobilize resources and expertise and for recognizing 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 explora...