The Metals Company to raise $37M for seabed exploration

Published: 2025-05-12 18:27 Author: Northern Miner Staff

Source: MINING.COM (Original Article)

AI Analysis & Insights

The Metals Company Secures $37M Funding for Deep-Sea Mining Ventures

Summary: The Metals Company (TMC) has raised $37 million (C$51.75 million) through a registered direct offering to fund seabed exploration and commercial development plans. The funding, led by Hess Capital and SAF Managing Partner, will support operations until a commercial recovery permit is issued. TMC's recent applications for mining permits under US law and the supportive executive order from President Trump highlight the strategic importance of deep-sea minerals for green energy. However, environmental concerns persist regarding the impact on ocean ecosystems.

Introduction

The Metals Company (TMC), a Nasdaq-listed undersea minerals explorer, has announced a significant funding boost of $37 million (C$51.75 million) through a registered direct offering. This capital injection, led by Hess Capital's Michael Hess and SAF Managing Partner Brian Paes-Braga, aims to propel TMC's ambitious seabed exploration and commercial development plans in the resource-rich Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.

Main Body

Funding and Market Response

The funds are expected to sustain TMC's operations until a commercial recovery permit is granted, with the offering set to close by May 22. TMC's shares responded positively, rising 6.7% to C$0.64, reflecting investor confidence with a market capitalization of C$1.15 billion ($820 million). The offering includes issuing 12.3 million common shares at C$3 each, accompanied by Class C warrants for additional purchases.

Strategic Moves and Regulatory Support

Recently, TMC made history by filing the world's first permit application to mine nodules in international waters under US seabed mining code. This move aligns with a timely executive order from US President Donald Trump to accelerate offshore mining, emphasizing the critical role of domestic mineral resources in the green energy transition. TMC's exploration licences and commercial permit cover vast areas hosting billions of tonnes of polymetallic nodules, rich in nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese—key materials for batteries and clean energy technologies.

Environmental Concerns and Mitigation

Despite the optimism, TMC's deep-sea mining plans have sparked significant environmental concerns. Critics argue that more research is needed to understand the impact on fragile ocean ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly species adapted to living on these nodules. TMC has committed to mitigating damage by preserving at least 30% of its contract areas and using advanced technology to minimize seabed disturbance. However, the debate continues over whether these measures are sufficient to protect marine life.

Analysis and Questions

In the context of global efforts to secure critical minerals for the energy transition, TMC's initiatives are strategically significant. Yet, the environmental risks pose a critical question: Can deep-sea mining be conducted sustainably without irreversible harm to marine ecosystems? As nations race to reduce reliance on foreign mineral supplies, balancing economic interests with environmental stewardship remains a pressing challenge. The involvement of seasoned investors like Michael Hess suggests confidence in TMC's potential, but public and scientific scrutiny will likely intensify as operations progress.

Conclusion:

The Metals Company's $37 million funding marks a pivotal step towards unlocking the vast potential of deep-sea minerals, crucial for the green energy transition. While regulatory support and market enthusiasm bolster TMC's prospects, environmental concerns highlight the need for rigorous oversight and sustainable practices. As TMC navigates this uncharted territory, the global community must weigh the benefits of resource security against the preservation of ocean biodiversity.

金属公司筹集3700万美元用于深海采矿项目

摘要: 金属公司（TMC）通过直接注册发行筹集了3700万美元（5175万加元），用于资助海底勘探和商业开发计划。这笔资金由Hess Capital和SAF管理合伙人领导，将支持公司运营直至获得商业开采许可证。TMC最近根据美国法律申请采矿许可证，并得到特朗普总统支持深海采矿的行政命令，凸显了深海矿产对绿色能源的重要性。然而，对海洋生态系统影响的环境担忧依然存在。

引言

纳斯达克上市的海底矿产勘探公司金属公司（TMC）宣布通过直接注册发行获得3700万美元（5175万加元）的重大资金支持。这笔资金由Hess Capital的Michael Hess和SAF管理合伙人Brian Paes-Braga领导，旨在推动TMC在太平洋克拉里昂-克利珀顿区资源丰富的海底勘探和商业开发计划。

正文

资金与市场反应

这笔资金预计将维持TMC的运营，直至获得商业开采许可证，发行预计将于5月22日完成。TMC股价积极响应，上涨6.7%至0.64加元，反映了投资者的信心，市值达到11.5亿加元（8.2亿美元）。此次发行包括以每股3加元的价格发行1230万股普通股，并附带C类认股权证以供额外购买。

战略举措与监管支持

最近，TMC创造了历史，成为首个根据美国海底采矿法申请在国际水域开采结核矿的许可。这一举措与美国总统特朗普加快海上采矿的行政命令相呼应，强调了国内矿产资源在绿色能源转型中的关键作用。TMC的勘探许可证和商业开采许可覆盖广阔区域，拥有数十亿吨多金属结核，富含镍、铜、钴和锰——这些是电池和清洁能源技术的关键材料。

环境担忧与缓解措施

尽管前景乐观，TMC的深海采矿计划引发了重大环境担忧。批评者认为，在开始商业开采前需要更多研究以了解对脆弱海洋生态系统和生物多样性的影响，尤其是那些适应在多金属结核上生活的物种。TMC承诺通过保留至少30%的合同区域未受干扰，并使用先进技术将海底沉积物扰动控制在最上层3厘米以内来减少损害。然而，这些措施是否足以保护海洋生物仍存在争议。

分析与问题

在全球努力确保绿色能源转型所需关键矿产的背景下，TMC的举措具有战略意义。然而，环境风险提出了一个关键问题：深海采矿能否在不造成不可逆转的海洋生态系统损害的情况下可持续进行？随着各国竞相减少对外国矿产供应的依赖，平衡经济利益与环境管理仍是紧迫挑战。像Michael Hess这样经验丰富的投资者的参与表明对TMC潜力的信心，但随着项目进展，公众和科学界的审查可能会加剧。

结论:

金属公司筹集的3700万美元资金标志着开启深海矿产巨大潜力迈出的关键一步，这些矿产对绿色能源转型至关重要。尽管监管支持和市场热情增强了TMC的前景，但环境担忧凸显了对严格监督和可持续实践的需求。在TMC探索这一未知领域时，全球社会必须权衡资源安全与海洋生物多样性保护之间的利弊。