TMC CEO Testifies Before Congress: Deep-Sea Minerals Key to U.S. Industrial Future

Core Viewpoint - The Metals Company (TMC) is advocating for the United States to reclaim its leadership in deep-sea mining to enhance energy and supply chain security, as well as national defense, by responsibly unlocking critical minerals from the deep seabed [2][3][4]. Group 1: Deep-Sea Mining Potential - TMC's CEO Gerard Barron testified that the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located 2.5 miles deep in the ocean, contains polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper, which hold more minerals than all known land-based reserves combined [3][4]. - The company estimates that seabed mineral extraction could create over 100,000 American jobs and generate over $300 billion in GDP [3][4]. Group 2: Regulatory Framework - The U.S. has a long-established regulatory framework for deep-sea mining through the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (DSHMRA), which empowers NOAA to regulate exploration and commercial recovery [5]. - TMC USA has submitted the first-ever application for a commercial recovery permit under DSHMRA, marking a significant milestone in establishing a U.S.-regulated supply of critical seabed minerals [4][5]. Group 3: Environmental Considerations - Barron emphasized that real-world data dispels common environmental myths regarding deep-sea mining, asserting that the U.S. can develop these resources without sacrificing landscapes or communities [3][4]. - Dr. Thomas Peacock from MIT highlighted the need for decisions on deep-sea mining to be based on the latest scientific findings, countering misinformation about environmental impacts [3][4].