Greenpeace International is urging member states to take “firm and swift action” if breaches by subsidiaries and subcontractors of The Metals Company (NASDAQ:TMC) are established, in relation to deep-sea mining.
As Mining.com.au reported, deep-sea mining could begin ramping up as early as late 2026 to early 2027.
Earlier this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finalised a new rule under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) which modernises and streamlines the permitting process for US entities.
As a result of this new rule, The Metals Company may potentially be able to accelerate its plans to collect battery-grade metals from the deep seabed. TMC has submitted a consolidated application, covering 65,000km2 for polymetallic nodule collection in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) – which hosts an estimated trillion dollars worth of critical metals, as reported by this news service.
Evidence has been compiled and submitted to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho by Greenpeace, to support the ongoing inquiry into deep sea mining contractors.
Greenpeace says the evidence shows that those supporting the efforts to start deep sea mining unilaterally via President Trump could be in breach of their obligations with the ISA.
The analysis focuses on TMC’s subsidiaries – Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML), as well as Blue Minerals Jamaica (BMJ), a company linked to Dutch-Swiss offshore engineering firm Allseas.
Greenpeace says this information compiled suggests that their activities may violate core contractual obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Leticia Carvalho has been advocating for governments to finalise a streamlined deep-sea mining code this year, and has expressed concerns with the calls from 40 governments for a moratorium.
A moratorium refers to a temporary, official or authorised pause on a specific activity, law or financial obligation.
Greenpeace campaigner Louisa Casson says in July 2025, governments at the ISA stated that companies trying to sidestep international law will face consequences.
“Turning that promise into action at this meeting is far more important than rushing through a mining code designed to appease corporate interests rather than protect the common good,” Casson says.
“Rushing to finalise a mining code serves the interests of multinational corporations, not the principles of multilateralism. With what we know now rules to mine the deep sea cannot coexist with ocean protection.
“Governments are legally obliged to only authorise deep sea mining if it can demonstrably benefit humanity – and that is non-negotiable.”
Deep-sea mining refers to the process of extracting mineral deposits from the ocean floor, typically at depths greater than 200m.
Nauru, a small island northeast of Australia, is focused on ensuring that future extractive activities are done responsibly.
Since becoming the first developing state to sponsor a polymetallic nodule exploration contract in the Reserved Area of the CCZ, Nauru and its sponsored entity, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) have taken a leading role in shaping the deep-sea mining industry, as reported.
Polymetallic nodules offer the cleanest source of critical base metals.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Greenpeace International & NOAA
