Partnership Would Combine Responsible Seabed Mining and Domestic Refining to Strengthen America’s Critical Mineral IndependenceRENO, Nev., Sept. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS) (“Aqua Metals”), a leader in clean metals recycling, announced today it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Impossible Metals, Inc. (“Impossible Metals”), a pioneer in selective seabed mineral collection. The two companies will work together to evaluate a new pathway for producing a ...

This mining company is up over 400% year over year -- should you buy now?Shares of The Metals Company (TMC 1.62%) have whipsawed this summer.First came a surge after Korea Zinc, a non-ferrous metal smelter based in South Korea, announced an $85.2 million investment in TMC -- the company's first major endorsement from an industry partner. Then came another pop after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reconfirmed that TMC's exploration applications are in compliance under U.S. law.Then ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net loss of $74.3 million or $0.20 per share for Q2 2025, compared to a net loss of $20.2 million or $0.06 per share for the same period in 2024 [32] - Free cash flow for Q2 2025 was negative $10.7 million, an improvement from negative $12.2 million in Q2 2024 [33] - The cash balance increased significantly to approximately $120 million by July 4, 2025, following various capital raises [30][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) indicated a combined project net present value (NPV) of over $23 billion, with a clear capital-efficient path to first production [9][28] - The estimated recoverable nodules for the PFS is 164 million wet tons, with an assumed production start date in Q4 2027 and a life of mine of just over 18 years [21][22] - The revenue mix is expected to be 45% from nickel products, 28% from manganese, 17% from copper, and 9% from cobalt [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has renewed and strengthened agreements with the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga, emphasizing a science-based approach to developing the seabed mining industry [12] - The strategic investment of $85 million from Korea Zinc positions the company to supply refined metals in South Korea and potentially build new facilities in the USA [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to adapt to a capital-light approach while advancing its projects, maintaining a competitive edge in the seabed mining industry [8] - The focus is on achieving regulatory certainty and moving towards first production, with a target date set for Q4 2027 [10][11] - The company plans to build refining capacity in the USA to support its production and contribute to US mineral independence [25][70] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the regulatory environment, noting daily communication with NOAA and a supportive administration [42][43] - The company anticipates good news from regulators and expects to maintain a regular cadence of updates as it progresses through the permitting process [41][44] - There is confidence in the ability to manage normal business risks and supply chain issues, with a strong board and partnerships in place [52] Other Important Information - The company is pursuing funding opportunities from various US government departments for both offshore and onshore components of its operations [66][68] - The anticipated ramp-up in profitability is expected to support significant capital expenditures for onshore refining capacity after production begins [25][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What work needs to be done to get through the feasibility level and the timeline? - The focus will be on finalizing agreements with Allsys and preparing for the investment decision to order long lead items for production [39] Question: What are the next major steps or milestones regarding permitting under NOAA? - The company expects good news from NOAA and is in daily contact with regulators, anticipating changes to fast-track permitting [41][42] Question: What factors could accelerate or slow down progress towards production? - Management believes there are no significant regulatory hurdles, and the focus will be on managing supply chain issues [52] Question: How will the capital expenditures be split among partners? - The breakdown of capital expenditures is still being finalized, but there is a long-standing assumption of splitting pre-production costs with Allsys [63] Question: Are there funding opportunities available for the offshore side? - The company is actively pursuing funding from various US government programs for both offshore and onshore components [66][68] Question: Could the processing plant development be expedited? - The company could accelerate the development of processing facilities if favorable terms are available from funding agencies [70]

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) ("TMC", the "Company" or "we"), a leading developer of the world's largest estimated undeveloped resource of critical metals essential to energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure, today provided a corporate update and second quarter results for the period ending June 30, 2025. Q2 2025 Financial Highlights NOAA Confirms Full Compliance of TMC USA's Exploration License Applications TMC Releases Two Economic Studies ...

TMC stock is still up 378% year to date, but the stock has been slipping as investors weigh the implications of U.S.-China trade negotiations. TMC The Metals Company (TMC -4.80%) stock got hit with a significant pullback in July's trading. The company's share price slumped 10% in a month of trading that saw the S&P 500 index rise 2.2% and the Nasdaq Composite index jump 3.7%. While the broader market rose in relation to developments that suggested that the U.S. and China could be moving closer to a trade de ...

Core Viewpoint - TMC The Metals Company has experienced a significant stock price increase of approximately 368% year to date, despite being considered a risky investment [1][2][6] Group 1: Company Performance - TMC's stock has surged due to expectations of regulatory changes and political dynamics that may accelerate its operational deployment and growth [2][4] - The company is currently in a pre-revenue state, indicating high investment risk, but there are favorable dynamics that could lead to substantial price increases [4][6] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - An executive order signed by President Trump aims to expedite permitting for seabed mining operations, which TMC has responded to by submitting several regulatory applications [5] - The potential for seabed mining is seen as crucial for enhancing the U.S. ability to source rare earth minerals domestically [5] Group 3: Market Capitalization and Speculation - TMC has a market capitalization of approximately $1.9 billion, categorizing it as a relatively small and speculative investment [6] - Despite the high level of risk, there is a belief that TMC's valuation could significantly exceed current levels, driven by geopolitical factors and the importance of rare earth mineral sourcing [6]

Core Viewpoint - The recent geopolitical developments, particularly regarding U.S.-China trade relations, have led to significant volatility in TMC stock, which experienced a 24.8% decline last week [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - TMC stock faced substantial sell-offs due to the U.S. lifting technology export restrictions on high-performance semiconductors and chip manufacturing equipment to China [2][4]. - Despite the recent pullback, TMC stock remains up 424% for the year 2025, driven by the U.S. administration's focus on enhancing mineral sourcing capabilities [5]. Group 2: Trade Relations Impact - The lifting of export restrictions is part of efforts to negotiate a trade agreement with China, which could have mixed implications for TMC's growth outlook [4][5]. - A trade agreement may reduce the urgency for TMC and other seabed mining companies to scale operations, but domestic mineral sourcing capabilities are likely to remain a national priority [6][7].

Group 1 - TMC's stock is experiencing significant sell-offs, down 8.2% amid a broader market decline [1][2] - The pressure on TMC's stock is linked to the U.S. facilitating a trade deal with China, which may weaken TMC's expansion outlook [2][5] - The Trump administration's recent lifting of export licensing requirements for advanced semiconductors to China is aimed at advancing trade talks, potentially impacting TMC's access to rare earth minerals [3][5] Group 2 - TMC has seen substantial gains this year, with a rise of over 500%, as investors anticipate its seabed mining capabilities to play a crucial role in U.S. mineral sourcing [4][6] - The future of TMC's stock valuation may be influenced by the inclusion of mineral access in a U.S.-China trade deal, which could create valuation pressures [5][6] - Despite the recent developments, the U.S. is likely to prioritize domestic mineral sourcing, suggesting that TMC's growth prospects are not entirely compromised [6]

In light of tense relations between the U.S. and China, access to rare earth minerals has become a key strategic priority for the Trump administration. The dynamic has helped to power huge gains for TMC stock, and its share price booked another week of big gains this week despite no fresh bullish news developments. In April, President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the the review process for mining applications. TMC quickly submitted its first application for seabed mining approval, and inves ...

Core Insights - TMC The Metals Company stock has experienced significant gains, rising 9.2% on a recent trading day and over 500% year to date, driven by news of a 50% tariff on copper imports announced by the Trump administration [1][3]. Group 1: Tariff Impact - The Trump administration plans to implement a 50% tariff on copper imports starting August 1, which aligns with efforts to enhance domestic mineral sourcing [3]. - This tariff is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign minerals, particularly from China, amid rising geopolitical tensions [4]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - In April, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at expediting permit grants for deep-sea mining companies, which has implications for TMC's operations [5]. - TMC has submitted applications for its first commercial mining permit, and recent developments indicate a favorable regulatory environment that may lead to approval of these permits [6].