TMC Surges on Growing Interest in Critical Minerals
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 15 2024
0mins
Should l Buy TMC?
TMC the metals company Inc. saw its stock price increase by 13.76%, crossing above the 5-day SMA, reflecting heightened investor interest in critical minerals.
The recent news highlights TMC's long-term strategy in deep-sea mining, with a projected net present value of over $23 billion for its NORI-D project. Despite currently having no revenues, the company is making progress in regulatory compliance and technological advancements.
As the demand for critical minerals rises, TMC's significant reserves of polymetallic rocks in the Pacific Ocean position it well for future growth, although it remains a speculative investment until it secures necessary mining licenses.
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Analyst Views on TMC
Wall Street analysts forecast TMC stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 6.420
Low
6.50
Averages
8.33
High
11.00
Current: 6.420
Low
6.50
Averages
8.33
High
11.00
About TMC
TMC the metals company Inc. is a deep-sea minerals exploration company. The Company is focused on the collection and processing of polymetallic nodules found on the seafloor in international waters of the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean (CCZ), located approximately 1,300 nautical miles southwest of San Diego, California. The CCZ is a geological submarine fracture zone of abyssal plains and other formations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a length of around 4,500 miles that spans approximately 1,737,000 square miles. These nodules contain high grades of four metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, manganese) which can be used as feedstock for battery cathode precursors (nickel, cobalt and manganese sulfates, or intermediate nickel-copper-cobalt matte) for electric vehicles (EV) and energy storage markets; copper cathode for EV wiring, energy transmission and other applications, and manganese silicate for manganese alloy production required for steel production.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Listing Progress: The Metals Royalty Company has filed a registration statement with the U.S. SEC for a proposed Nasdaq direct listing expected next week, which will provide liquidity and potentially boost TMC's share price.
- Regulatory Acceleration: TMC's deep-sea mining project received key regulatory approval from NOAA, confirming its application meets the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act requirements, covering an area of approximately 65,000 square kilometers, significantly larger than the previous 25,000 square kilometers.
- Resource Potential: The project is estimated to contain 619 million tonnes of wet polymetallic nodules, with an additional potential exploration upside of 200 million tonnes, highlighting its strategic importance in future mineral resource development.
- Positive Market Reaction: TMC shares rose nearly 2% to close at $6.38 on Tuesday, reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding its future prospects, especially after analysts raised price targets to $11.75 and $12.25.
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- Compliance Confirmation: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that TMC's subsidiary, TMC USA, submitted a compliant application for an exploration license under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, marking a significant step forward in the company's deep-sea mining ambitions.
- First Application Success: This is the first time TMC has submitted such an application, and the compliance confirmation allows the company to avoid a lengthy back-and-forth process, thereby accelerating subsequent steps and boosting investor confidence.
- Ongoing Challenges Ahead: Despite the preliminary approval, TMC faces substantial construction costs and operational complexities, particularly in the underwater mining sector, indicating that the path to success remains long and fraught with uncertainty.
- Profitability Concerns: TMC is currently operating at a loss and is expected to continue doing so for the foreseeable future, necessitating caution among investors, especially as the company has yet to achieve sustainable profitability.
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- License Application Progress: TMC USA's application for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit received substantial compliance confirmation from NOAA, marking a successful first step in the deep-sea mining business, although further approvals are still required.
- First-Time Success: This is the first instance of a company submitting such an application, indicating that TMC's exploration in deep-sea mining will avoid cumbersome back-and-forth processes, thereby accelerating project progress and boosting market confidence.
- High Cost Challenges: Despite the initial license approval, TMC faces significant mining costs and complex operational challenges, and is expected to continue incurring losses for a considerable time, posing risks for investors.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Given that TMC is still in the early development stage and was not recommended by Motley Fool Stock Advisor, investors are advised to remain cautious and avoid over-investing until the company reaches more development milestones.
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- Regulatory Support: The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that TMC's seabed mining application meets key requirements of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, covering an area of 65,000 square kilometers, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the company's deep-sea mining plans and is expected to drive future commercial development.
- Stock Price Rebound: TMC shares surged over 9% on Monday to close at $6.27, ending a four-day losing streak, reflecting market optimism about the company's prospects, with analysts projecting an 80% upside potential, further boosting investor confidence.
- Analyst Rating Upgrades: Following regulatory progress, several brokerages raised TMC's price targets, with Alliance Global increasing its target from $6.50 to $12.25 and H.C. Wainwright raising it from $7.50 to $11.75, both maintaining 'Buy' ratings, indicating strong market support for the company's deep-sea mining initiatives.
- Positive Market Sentiment: On the Stocktwits platform, retail sentiment for TMC was 'bullish', with a 1,025% surge in message volume over 24 hours, demonstrating heightened investor interest and confidence in the company's future developments, which further propelled the stock price upward.
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- Permit Application Progress: The Metals Company submitted a consolidated application under NOAA's updated deep-sea exploration regulations, covering approximately 65,000 square kilometers for exploration and commercial recovery, significantly expanding from the initial 25,000 square kilometers in April 2025, indicating enhanced future commercial potential.
- Compliance Confirmation: NOAA stated that the company's application is in “substantial compliance” with the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, which not only streamlines regulatory processes but also provides a more favorable legal framework for the Metals Company in deep-sea resource development, boosting market confidence.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the positive news regarding the permit application, shares of The Metals Company rose over 6% on Monday, reflecting investor optimism about the company's future, especially given that its stock has gained over 246% in the past year.
- Market Sentiment Shift: On the Stocktwits platform, retail sentiment around TMC shares shifted from 'bearish' to 'bullish', with message volumes increasing from 'low' to 'normal' levels, indicating a positive outlook among investors for the coming months, potentially marking a last chance for market entry at current price levels.
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- Compliance Confirmation: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that The Metals Company's seabed mining application meets federal requirements, marking a significant advancement in the company's ocean resource development and paving the way for future commercial licensing and resource extraction.
- Substantial Resource Potential: The application covers approximately 65,000 square kilometers, estimated to contain 619 million tonnes of wet nodules, with an additional potential of 200 million tonnes, highlighting the project's immense economic value and market potential.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the announcement, The Metals Company's stock rose by 1.57%, currently trading at $5.83, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's future developments and potentially attracting more investor interest.
- Increased Management Confidence: CEO Gerard Barron stated that NOAA's determination reflects the team's efforts in understanding and responsibly developing this resource, enhancing the company's strategic position in the seabed mineral resources sector.
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