TMC USA A Project Receives Compliance Confirmation, Expected Approval by 2027
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 14 2026
0mins
The company noted that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined its consolidated application for TMC USA A is in full compliance, moving the project toward a potential permit by Q1 2027. Additionally, the company signed a commercial agreement with Allseas to operate the first commercial nodule collection system, with commissioning expected in Q4 2027. "The first months of 2026 have been defined by accelerated execution across every part of our business," said CEO Gerard Barron.
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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: 6.160
Low
6.50
Averages
8.33
High
11.00
Current: 6.160
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.
The Metals Company Secures Exploration License, Stock Rises
- Stock Price Surge: Since closing at $5.10 on May 20, shares of The Metals Company (TMC) have risen in every subsequent trading session, closing today up 7.9%, reflecting strong market optimism about its future prospects.
- License Certification: The Metals Company announced that its subsidiary has received formal certification of the USA Part B exploration license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), covering approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor and containing about 1.02 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules, marking a significant step toward commercial operations.
- Application Progress: The Metals Company USA is proceeding with its application for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for the USA A area, which NOAA has confirmed as fully compliant, further boosting investor confidence in the company's future development.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While today's news represents a positive development for The Metals Company, investors must remain aware that despite progress in regulatory approvals, the profitability of deep-sea mining operations remains uncertain, necessitating cautious investment strategies.
See More
The Metals Company Advances Deep-Sea Mining License Application
- License Certification: The Metals Company announced that its subsidiary has received formal certification from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the USA Part B exploration license, covering approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor and containing about 1.02 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules, marking a significant step towards commercial operations.
- Stock Price Surge: Since closing at $5.10 on May 20, shares of The Metals Company have risen in every subsequent trading session, closing today 7.9% higher, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's progress, despite an earlier 15.4% gain.
- Application Progress: The Metals Company USA is proceeding with applications for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for the USA A area, which NOAA has confirmed as fully compliant, laying the groundwork for future commercial activities.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While today's developments reduce certain risks, investors must recognize that successfully obtaining permits does not guarantee profitability in deep-sea mining, making this stock suitable only for those with considerable risk tolerance.
See More
The Metals Company Achieves Key Certification, Stock Surges
- Massive Resource Potential: The Metals Company's USA B exploration license covers approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor, estimated to contain 1.02 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, highlighting its significance in energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors.
- Regulatory Progress: The certification by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) marks a crucial milestone in the regulatory approval process, allowing NOAA to begin preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), paving the way for subsequent exploration activities.
- Positive Stock Reaction: Following the certification, TMC's stock surged nearly 30% on Thursday, reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding its future potential, with a nearly 34% increase in stock price over the past 12 months.
- Shifting Market Sentiment: Investor sentiment on Stocktwits turned “bullish” on Thursday, up from “neutral” the previous day, indicating growing confidence in The Metals Company's future developments.
See More
AI and Nuclear Energy Drive Market Resilience
- Market Resilience: Despite geopolitical conflicts and bubble fears in 2026, the S&P 500 has gained nearly 9% year-to-date, demonstrating the market's resilience and adaptability, reflecting investor confidence in future economic recovery.
- Surge in AI Spending: AI spending is projected to reach $2.5 trillion, roughly equivalent to Canada's GDP, driving strong performance in AI-related stocks and benefiting peripheral industries, showcasing AI's broad economic impact.
- TMC's Potential: TMC The Metals Company holds approximately $24 billion in polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, with operations expected to begin by late 2027 pending regulatory approval, which could significantly enhance its market value and boost electric vehicle battery production.
- Nano Nuclear Innovation: Nano Nuclear Energy is developing portable mini nuclear power plants aimed at providing convenient energy solutions for data centers, and while lacking commercial deployment approval, its involvement in government programs may expedite this process, indicating its potential in the emerging energy market.
See More
TMC Metals Company and Nano Nuclear Energy Outlook
- Deep-Sea Mining Potential: TMC Metals Company holds exploratory rights to approximately $24 billion in polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, with operations expected to commence by late 2027, which could provide critical metals for electric vehicles and data center infrastructure, significantly enhancing the company's market value.
- Nuclear Innovation: Nano Nuclear Energy is designing a small nuclear reactor aimed at providing on-site power for data centers, and while it lacks regulatory approval for commercial deployment, its participation in government programs may expedite this process to meet the growing energy demands of AI-driven facilities.
- AI Market Drivers: With AI spending projected to reach $2.5 trillion, companies like TMC and Nano Nuclear Energy are positioned in a rapidly expanding market; although their fundamentals do not currently support their market valuations, they attract aggressive investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
- Market Resilience: Despite geopolitical conflicts and bubble fears in 2026, the S&P 500 has achieved nearly a 9% gain, demonstrating market resilience, while the strong performance of AI-related stocks further fuels investment enthusiasm in related sectors.
See More
TMC's Deep-Sea Mining Potential and Challenges
- Massive Resource Potential: TMC The Metals Company has identified mineral resources on the ocean floor valued at up to $20 trillion, presenting a significant opportunity for investors despite the absence of commercial mining rights, which could lead to substantial returns.
- Clear Technological Advantage: TMC's seabed collector vehicles have demonstrated efficient collection capabilities, successfully converting nodules into high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt alloys, showcasing technological maturity that enhances its competitive position in the market.
- Severe Regulatory Challenges: Although TMC plans to commence commercial mining in Q4 2027, environmental concerns regarding deep-sea mining have drawn scrutiny from the International Seabed Authority, potentially leading to legal challenges and geopolitical repercussions that could hinder its commercialization efforts.
- Market Capitalization Potential: With a current market cap of $2.3 billion and access to resources valued at approximately $24 billion, TMC presents an optimistic outlook; however, failure to achieve extraction could lead to a significant decline in stock price, necessitating careful risk assessment by investors.
See More
The Metals Company Secures Exploration License, Stock Rises
- Stock Price Surge: Since closing at $5.10 on May 20, shares of The Metals Company (TMC) have risen in every subsequent trading session, closing today up 7.9%, reflecting strong market optimism about its future prospects.
- License Certification: The Metals Company announced that its subsidiary has received formal certification of the USA Part B exploration license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), covering approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor and containing about 1.02 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules, marking a significant step toward commercial operations.
- Application Progress: The Metals Company USA is proceeding with its application for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for the USA A area, which NOAA has confirmed as fully compliant, further boosting investor confidence in the company's future development.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While today's news represents a positive development for The Metals Company, investors must remain aware that despite progress in regulatory approvals, the profitability of deep-sea mining operations remains uncertain, necessitating cautious investment strategies.
See More
The Metals Company Advances Deep-Sea Mining License Application
- License Certification: The Metals Company announced that its subsidiary has received formal certification from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the USA Part B exploration license, covering approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor and containing about 1.02 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules, marking a significant step towards commercial operations.
- Stock Price Surge: Since closing at $5.10 on May 20, shares of The Metals Company have risen in every subsequent trading session, closing today 7.9% higher, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's progress, despite an earlier 15.4% gain.
- Application Progress: The Metals Company USA is proceeding with applications for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for the USA A area, which NOAA has confirmed as fully compliant, laying the groundwork for future commercial activities.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While today's developments reduce certain risks, investors must recognize that successfully obtaining permits does not guarantee profitability in deep-sea mining, making this stock suitable only for those with considerable risk tolerance.
See More
The Metals Company Achieves Key Certification, Stock Surges
- Massive Resource Potential: The Metals Company's USA B exploration license covers approximately 122,000 square kilometers of seafloor, estimated to contain 1.02 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, highlighting its significance in energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors.
- Regulatory Progress: The certification by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) marks a crucial milestone in the regulatory approval process, allowing NOAA to begin preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), paving the way for subsequent exploration activities.
- Positive Stock Reaction: Following the certification, TMC's stock surged nearly 30% on Thursday, reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding its future potential, with a nearly 34% increase in stock price over the past 12 months.
- Shifting Market Sentiment: Investor sentiment on Stocktwits turned “bullish” on Thursday, up from “neutral” the previous day, indicating growing confidence in The Metals Company's future developments.
See More
AI and Nuclear Energy Drive Market Resilience
- Market Resilience: Despite geopolitical conflicts and bubble fears in 2026, the S&P 500 has gained nearly 9% year-to-date, demonstrating the market's resilience and adaptability, reflecting investor confidence in future economic recovery.
- Surge in AI Spending: AI spending is projected to reach $2.5 trillion, roughly equivalent to Canada's GDP, driving strong performance in AI-related stocks and benefiting peripheral industries, showcasing AI's broad economic impact.
- TMC's Potential: TMC The Metals Company holds approximately $24 billion in polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, with operations expected to begin by late 2027 pending regulatory approval, which could significantly enhance its market value and boost electric vehicle battery production.
- Nano Nuclear Innovation: Nano Nuclear Energy is developing portable mini nuclear power plants aimed at providing convenient energy solutions for data centers, and while lacking commercial deployment approval, its involvement in government programs may expedite this process, indicating its potential in the emerging energy market.
See More
TMC Metals Company and Nano Nuclear Energy Outlook
- Deep-Sea Mining Potential: TMC Metals Company holds exploratory rights to approximately $24 billion in polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, with operations expected to commence by late 2027, which could provide critical metals for electric vehicles and data center infrastructure, significantly enhancing the company's market value.
- Nuclear Innovation: Nano Nuclear Energy is designing a small nuclear reactor aimed at providing on-site power for data centers, and while it lacks regulatory approval for commercial deployment, its participation in government programs may expedite this process to meet the growing energy demands of AI-driven facilities.
- AI Market Drivers: With AI spending projected to reach $2.5 trillion, companies like TMC and Nano Nuclear Energy are positioned in a rapidly expanding market; although their fundamentals do not currently support their market valuations, they attract aggressive investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
- Market Resilience: Despite geopolitical conflicts and bubble fears in 2026, the S&P 500 has achieved nearly a 9% gain, demonstrating market resilience, while the strong performance of AI-related stocks further fuels investment enthusiasm in related sectors.
See More
TMC's Deep-Sea Mining Potential and Challenges
- Massive Resource Potential: TMC The Metals Company has identified mineral resources on the ocean floor valued at up to $20 trillion, presenting a significant opportunity for investors despite the absence of commercial mining rights, which could lead to substantial returns.
- Clear Technological Advantage: TMC's seabed collector vehicles have demonstrated efficient collection capabilities, successfully converting nodules into high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt alloys, showcasing technological maturity that enhances its competitive position in the market.
- Severe Regulatory Challenges: Although TMC plans to commence commercial mining in Q4 2027, environmental concerns regarding deep-sea mining have drawn scrutiny from the International Seabed Authority, potentially leading to legal challenges and geopolitical repercussions that could hinder its commercialization efforts.
- Market Capitalization Potential: With a current market cap of $2.3 billion and access to resources valued at approximately $24 billion, TMC presents an optimistic outlook; however, failure to achieve extraction could lead to a significant decline in stock price, necessitating careful risk assessment by investors.
See More
