TMC
NOAA just moved the goalposts — in TMC’s favor
The Metals Company got a fresh pop after NOAA said TMC USA’s consolidated application for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit is in full compliance. In plain English: the paperwork didn’t bounce back with a red stamp, and the company can keep advancing through the approval gauntlet.
Why the market cared
This isn’t the final permit, but it’s not fluff either. The application now moves into certification review, then the Federal Register, then a draft Environmental Impact Statement for public comment. After that, NOAA makes the final call on whether to issue the license and permit.
For investors, that’s the kind of milestone that can change the story from “cool science project” to “actual path toward commercial operations.” The stock clearly noticed, trading sharply higher on the news.
The long road ahead
TMC says the process could wrap before the end of Q1 2027, which is still a while off — because apparently regulatory timelines were designed by a committee that hates excitement. The company also pointed out that this follows an earlier substantial-compliance finding in March, so today’s update is more of a continued climb than a surprise one-day moonshot.
Big picture: NOAA didn’t hand TMC the keys, but it did take away another roadblock. In a business where approvals are everything, that’s enough to move the stock and keep hope alive.