The Metals Company (TMC) Seeks Commercial Recovery Permit, Stock Up 17%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 10 2026
0mins
Should l Buy TMC?
Source: Fool
- Stock Performance: The Metals Company (TMC) saw a 17% increase in stock price as of January 8, 2026, following a remarkable 450% surge in 2025, indicating strong market confidence in its commercial potential.
- Permit Application: In April 2025, TMC announced its application for a commercial recovery permit under U.S. law, marking a potential pathway for polymetallic nodule mining that could accelerate its commercial ambitions.
- Project Valuation: Two assessments of the company's exploration area indicate a combined project value of $23.6 billion, with capital expenditures of $113 million, suggesting the market remains cautious about the likelihood of commercial production.
- Future Potential: If TMC's market valuation were to align with its project value, this could imply a 700% upside in stock price; while achieving this remains uncertain, successful deep-sea mining could lead to long-term supply contracts, significantly enhancing its market position.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy TMC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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.
Metals Royalty Company Files for Nasdaq Direct Listing
- 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.
See More
TMC Receives Preliminary Approval for Deep-Sea Mining License
- 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.
See More
TMC The Metals Company Advances with NOAA License Progress
- 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.
See More
NOAA Backs TMC's Seabed Mining Application, Stock Surges
- 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.
See More
The Metals Company Secures Deep-Sea Exploration Permit
- 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.
See More
The Metals Company Seabed Mining Application Approved by NOAA
- 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.
See More
Metals Royalty Company Files for Nasdaq Direct Listing
- 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.
See More
TMC Receives Preliminary Approval for Deep-Sea Mining License
- 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.
See More
TMC The Metals Company Advances with NOAA License Progress
- 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.
See More
NOAA Backs TMC's Seabed Mining Application, Stock Surges
- 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.
See More
The Metals Company Secures Deep-Sea Exploration Permit
- 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.
See More
The Metals Company Seabed Mining Application Approved by NOAA
- 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.
See More
