Core Insights - The Indian government is accelerating deep-sea exploration in the Central Indian Ocean Basin to initiate polymetallic nodule mining [1] - There is a push for duty-free imports of high-capacity mining and beneficiation equipment [1]

Core Points - The third United Nations Ocean Conference opened on June 9 in Nice, France, marking the largest and highest-level ocean conference in recent years [2][3] - The BBNJ agreement, which aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, has seen a significant increase in the number of ratifying countries, reaching 50 [1][6][7] - The conference produced the "Nice Ocean Action Plan," including a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments from various stakeholders [4] Group 1: BBNJ Agreement - The BBNJ agreement fills a governance gap by providing a framework for establishing marine protected areas in international waters, which currently account for less than 2% of the ocean [1][7] - As of the conference, 31 countries had ratified the agreement, with an additional 19 countries ratifying it during the conference, leaving only 10 more needed for it to come into effect [6][7][8] - The French President's special envoy projected that by September, there would be 70 ratifications, allowing for the first conference of parties to be held by 2028 [8] Group 2: Conference Participation and Outcomes - The conference attracted 15,000 representatives, including 55 heads of state and government, indicating a heightened global focus on ocean protection [3][4] - The "Nice Ocean Action Plan" aims to unify countries in urgent action for ocean protection, although it lacks binding commitments [4] - The conference also highlighted the need for precaution in deep-sea mining, with 37 countries advocating for a pause or ban on such activities due to environmental concerns [9][10]

Group 1 - The U.S. government has been pursuing deep-sea mining since the 1970s, aiming to expand its influence and control over international seabed resources [1][3] - The Trump administration intensified the focus on "critical minerals," implementing policies to protect the supply chain for key minerals essential for manufacturing and military industries [3][4] - The U.S. has significant deep-sea mineral resources, estimated at over 1 billion tons of polymetallic nodules, which contain essential materials for high-tech products [6][4] Group 2 - The current U.S. administration's push for deep-sea mining reflects a broader strategy to bypass international laws and regulations, aiming to secure critical resource control [9][7] - Environmental experts criticize the U.S. government's actions as reckless and irresponsible, highlighting the potential ecological damage and long recovery times for deep-sea ecosystems [10][12] - The unilateral approach to deep-sea mining raises concerns about the legality and sustainability of such operations, with potential challenges in international recognition and market access for extracted minerals [14][12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - TMC reported a net loss of approximately $20.6 million or $0.06 per share in Q1 2025, compared to a net loss of $25.2 million or $0.08 per share for the same period in 2024 [37] - Exploration and evaluation expenses for Q1 2025 were $9.5 million, down from $18.1 million in 2024, attributed to lower mining and technological costs [37] - General and administrative expenses increased to $8.5 million in Q1 2025 from $6.6 million in the comparative quarter due to higher share-based compensation [37] - Net cash used in operating activities was $9.3 million in Q1 2025, compared to $11.8 million in 2024, reflecting reduced cash outflows [38] - TMC's liquidity, including cash and borrowing capacity, stood at about $44 million as of March 31, 2025, or $81 million pro forma after a recent direct offering [38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved significant milestones in regulatory applications, including the submission of the world's first application for a commercial recovery permit for deep-sea minerals [11][12] - The company expects to complete its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the commercial recovery area in the next quarter, which will provide new assumptions based on the U.S. permitting strategy [11][31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. government has shown increased support for deep-sea mining, with recent executive orders aimed at expediting the permitting process and enhancing domestic supply chains for critical minerals [14][17] - The company estimates that its exploration license areas contain over 1.6 billion tons of nodules, with significant quantities of nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, which are critical for various industries [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - TMC is focused on establishing a clear regulatory pathway for deep-sea mining, which is expected to enhance shareholder value and attract investment [5][15] - The company plans to explore alternative financing sources, including U.S. government departments and strategic partners, to prepare for commercial production [10] - TMC aims to maintain a capital-light approach by leveraging partnerships with existing facilities and minimizing upfront capital expenditures [30][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the regulatory clarity achieved and the potential for significant job creation and economic impact from deep-sea mining [14][19] - The company is encouraged by the level of professionalism and urgency from U.S. agencies regarding the permitting process, which is expected to facilitate timely commercial operations [16][17] - Management highlighted the importance of the U.S. leading in deep-sea mining to secure critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources [19][24] Other Important Information - TMC has engaged in extensive consultations with NOAA and other U.S. agencies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and expedite the review process [12][16] - The company has a strong commitment to environmental research and has invested over $200 million in cumulative environmental spending [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the exploration ground and its potential? - Management confirmed that the additional area applied for is complementary to existing concessions and is not claimed by any other sovereign [45][49] Question: What is the expected timeline for the application review process? - Management indicated that they expect to receive feedback from NOAA soon and are in regular contact with the authority [52][53] Question: Are there plans to go downstream in processing? - Management acknowledged the potential for downstream processing and is exploring partnerships while ensuring capital-light operations [59][62] Question: What funding opportunities are being pursued with the U.S. government? - Management is exploring various financial assistance options, including loans and grants, as part of a comprehensive approach to funding [70][71] Question: How will overlapping licenses work with ISA? - Management clarified that TMC is applying only under U.S. regulations and will not apply to ISA for a collection license [76][82] Question: Will there be issues selling metals to ISA member states? - Management does not foresee any issues with potential customers purchasing metals, emphasizing the growing demand for these resources [83]

为应对中国的稀土管制，特朗普想绕开联合国深海采矿，目前存在三大难题。 据观察者网报道，在放出夺下格陵兰岛豪言，并与乌克兰谈判矿产协议，以及动用紧急战时权力提高关键矿物产量后，美国特朗普政府又把算盘打到了深海 矿藏上。 近日，外媒消息称，特朗普政府正在起草一项行政令，以允许美国大量"囤积"太平洋海底的金属资源，并将其添加到现有的联邦原油和金属战略储备。 美方这么做的目的，是"对抗"中国在电池金属和稀土供应链的主导地位。然而很多人担忧，美方此举可能引发法律纠纷。 从这件事情上，再次反映出特朗普"想一出是一出"的行事风格，同时暴露出美国本届政府的不专业、不靠谱。 资料显示，目前世界上多数海底，都存在多金属结核。这种结核在海水的高压作用下，历经百万年形成。也被认为是海底分布最广、储量最大的金属资源。 报道称，这些海底矿石能提炼出多种稀土矿物成分，他们可以用于电动汽车和军工产业。美国政府如今打它们的算盘，就是为了在今后的中美博弈中，取得 有利地位。因为就目前现在稀土资源来看，无论是原材料还是开发技术，美国都高度依赖中国。一旦中国哪天卡了美国的"脖子"，限制稀有金属出口，美国 只能扼腕哀叹。 实际上，中国对于稀土出口管制 ...

美国环保活动组织（资料图） 这个消息一出，立刻就遭到了联合国分支机构国际海底管理局（ISA）的严厉警告。不久前，国际监管机构谴责一家海底采矿公司绕过该组织而向特朗普当 局申请在海洋生态处女地开采关键矿产。3月27日，梅塔斯公司（The Metals Company，TMC）宣称，已经向美国政府申请在太平洋的一片区域开采绿色技 术所需的金属。这片区域由联合国负责海底开发监管的下属机构国际海底管理局（International Seabed Authority，ISA）管辖。特朗普政府决定颁发ISA管辖 海域深海采矿证，这可能颠覆监管世界深海采矿和海洋其他商业用途的国际条约。 ISA秘书长卡瓦略公开表示，所有勘探和开采活动都必须在ISA的控制下进行，任何单边行动都将构成对国际法的违反，并直接破坏多边主义的基本原则、 和平利用海洋和集体治理框架。另外，专家指出，深海采矿对环境的破坏，将是陆地采矿的25倍，该行为可能破坏生物栖息地，释放沉积物羽流污染海水， 威胁海洋生物多样性。在环保组织活跃的美国，稍不注意就要引起环保人士的大规模抗议，特朗普一旦批准深海采矿，那么引发舆论风波和社会动荡肯定是 少不了的。 据环球时报援 ...