Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis provide information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our condensed consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2025 contained in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “TMC” and “the Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of TMC the metals company Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, present the financial position and results of operations of TMC the metals company Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a deep seabed minerals developer focused on the collection, processing and refining of polymetallic nodules found on the seafloor in international waters of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (“CCZ”). The CCZ is a geological submarine fracture zone of abyssal plains and other formations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a length of around 7,240 kilometers (4,500 miles) that spans approximately 4,500,000 square kilometers (1,737,000 square miles). Polymetallic nodules are discrete rocks that sit unattached to the seafloor, occur in significant quantities in the CCZ and have high concentrations of nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese, alongside meaningful concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in a single rock.
Our mission is to build a carefully managed shared stock of metal (a “metal commons”) that can be used, recovered and reused for generations to come. We believe significant quantities of newly mined metal are required because existing metal stocks are insufficient to meet rapidly rising demand.
The four metals and REEs contained in the polymetallic nodules are on the U.S. Department of Interior’s “2025 List of Critical Minerals”, with end-uses in strategic sectors including semiconductors and AI data centers, steel manufacturing, the defense and marine industrial base. Nickel was included on the list of 13 minerals selected by the U.S. Department of War in March 2026 for targeted procurement efforts through the Defense Industrial Base Consortium. Our resource definition work to date shows that nodules in our contract areas represent the world’s largest undeveloped resource of several of these critical metals. If we are able to collect polymetallic nodules from the seafloor on a commercial scale, we plan to use such nodules to initially produce nickel, cobalt and copper-bearing intermediate and metal cathode products as well as a manganese silicate product of approximately 40% manganese comparable to medium-grade manganese ore. Once in production, we may explore expanding into other product formats including silicomanganese alloy, battery-grade sulfates and precursor Cathode Active Materials (pCAM), as well as extracting REEs contained in nodules.
We are now in the development stage following the release of the results of a pre-feasibility study on one of our development areas in a report titled S-K 1300 Prefeasibility Study for NORI Area D Technical Report Summary , dated August 4, 2025, prepared by AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. and other qualified persons (the “NORI-D PFS”), which declared the world’s first mineral reserves for a seafloor polymetallic nodule project demonstrating the project’s economic viability. We also recently released an initial assessment of certain of our other resource areas in a report titled S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary—Initial Assessment of TOML and NORI Properties , Clarion-Clipperton Zone, dated August 4, 2025, prepared by AMC Consultants Pty Lt. and other qualified persons (the “TOML and NORI IA” together with the NORI-D PFS, the “Technical Reports”). We have yet to obtain a commercial recovery permit or other related offshore and onshore permits from the regulators. Additionally, we do not yet hold the environmental or other permits required to construct and operate commercial-scale polymetallic nodule processing and refining facilities on land.
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Two parallel regulatory regimes exist to regulate deep seabed exploration and extraction activities in the high seas. The United States adopted the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (“DSHMRA”), a U.S. domestic statute administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) to regulate deep-sea mining activities of its citizens in the high seas. NOAA implemented regulations for exploration licenses in 1981 and for commercial recovery permits in 1989 and amended these regulations introducing a consolidated exploration license and commercial recovery permit application process in 2026. In parallel, the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”), comprised today of 171 Member States and the European Union was established in 1994, pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) to regulate deep seabed exploration and exploitation activities of the nationals of Member States. The ISA adopted exploration regulations in 2000 (amended in 2013 and 2014) and issued 19 polymetallic nodule exploration contracts (17 of which are located in the CCZ) but has not completed its adoption of the exploitation regulations, standards and guidelines despite initiating work in 2014, and despite being under an obligation to do so by July 2023. Almost 30 countries, including the United States, have not ratified UNCLOS and are not Member States of the ISA. The United States has remained a persistent objector to Part XI of UNCLOS which governs seabed mining in the Area.
We believe that DSHMRA provides a viable and robust regulatory path to commercial production, distinct from the ISA regime under UNCLOS, which despite expectations to the contrary, has repeatedly failed to adopt the regulations and standards and guidelines for the exploitation of mineral resources in the Area. On April 24, 2025, the Executive Order 14825, titled “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” directed the Secretary of Commerce to implement an expedited process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under DSHMRA. In addition to directing the International Development Finance Corporation, Export-Import Bank and Trade and Development Agency to identify tools to support this new industry, the Executive Order instructed the Departments of War and Energy to assess the use of the National Defense Stockpile for nodule-derived materials and of entering into offtake agreements for these minerals. These departments were also directed to review and support domestic processing capabilities for seabed mineral resources.
We continue focusing on advancing our commercial production strategy under the DSHMRA regime. In April 2025, our wholly owned subsidiary, The Metals Company USA, LLC (“TMC USA”), submitted two exploration license applications (covering 187,017 square kilometers in the CCZ referred to as TMC USA-A and TMC USA-B) and one commercial recovery permit application (covering 25,160 square kilometers in the CCZ referred to as TMC USA-A) to NOAA. Following the introduction of the consolidated application process by NOAA in January 2026, TMC USA submitted a consolidated exploration license and commercial recovery permit application covering approximately 65,000 km², representing a significant expansion from the approximately 25,160 km² commercial recovery area in the initial April 2025 application, with an estimated resource of 619 million wet tonnes (Mt) of polymetallic nodules and potential exploration upside. On April 28, 2026, NOAA determined that the consolidated application is in full compliance with the applicable requirements under DSHMRA, and the application has advanced to the certification review stage. Final permit issuance remains subject to the completion of the certification stage (including interagency consultation) and an environmental review, including preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. The application areas in total, including the TMC USA-A and TMC USA-B exploration license areas, are estimated to hold approximately 1.639 billion wet tonnes of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources. Together, the mineral resources are estimated to contain approximately 15.5 million tonnes of nickel, 12.8 million tonnes of copper, 2.0 million tonnes of cobalt, and 345 million tonnes of manganese.
At the same time as we pursue the U.S. regulatory pathway, our wholly owned subsidiaries, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (“NORI”) and Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (“TOML”), continue to maintain their ISA contracts and comply with all of their contractual obligations under the ISA system. While the ISA does not have jurisdiction over activities conducted under the regulatory authority of the United States, NORI and TOML maintain two ISA exploration contracts in the CCZ. NORI is sponsored by the Republic of Nauru (“Nauru”), and TOML is sponsored by the Kingdom of Tonga (“Tonga”). Operations of NORI and TOML in the CCZ are being conducted under their ISA exploration contracts.
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We have key strategic partnerships with (i) Allseas, a leading global offshore engineering contractor, which developed and tested a pilot collection system, and is now modifying it into the first commercial production system, (ii) Pacific Metals Co. Ltd. (“PAMCO”), an experienced Japanese ferronickel producer, which is responsible for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on nodule processing at their smelting facilities in Hachinohe, Japan, (iii) Korea Zinc, a world leader in non-ferrous metal refining and precursor Cathode Active Material (“pCAM”) technology, partnering to advance development in the U.S. and (iv) Mariana Minerals, a software-first mineral developer and operator working as part of TMC USA’s owners’ team to accelerate the development of potential domestic onshore processing and refining facilities (“Mariana”) and (v) Glencore International AG (“Glencore”) which holds offtake rights to 50% of the NORI nickel and copper production if produced from a TMC-owned or controlled facility. In addition, we are working with engineering firm Hatch Ltd. (“Hatch”) and consultants Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (“KPM”) to develop, test and engineer a near-zero solid waste flowsheet. The primary processing stages of the flowsheet from nodule to NiCuCo matte intermediate were demonstrated as part of our pilot plant program at FLSmidth facilities in Pennsylvania, USA and XPS’ (Glencore subsidiary) facilities in Ontario, Canada; and later at industrial scale at PAMCO’s facilities in Hachinohe, Japan. The matte refining stages have been tested at an SGS facility in Lakefield Canada with positive results. The near-zero solid waste flowsheet provides a design that is expected to serve as the basis for our onshore processing facilities. On March 19, 2026, we signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Mariana focusing on the potential development of a nodule processing and refining facility in the Port of Brownsville, Texas as part of our owner’s team.
To reach our objective and initiate commercial production, we are working to: (i) further refine our project economics, (ii) completed the development and commission a commercial offshore nodule collection system, (iii) continue to assess the environmental, social and cultural impacts of offshore nodule collection, and (iv) secure existing foreign and/or develop new domestic U.S. onshore facilities to process collected polymetallic nodules into a manganese silicate product, an intermediate nickel-copper-cobalt matte product and end-products of nickel, cobalt and copper metal.
Developments in the First Quarter 2026
Below are some of the major developments that occurred in the first quarter of 2026:
TMC Subsidiaries Submit Extensive Deep-Sea Dataset to Public Database as Company Launches Video Series on Findings of Environmental Research
On April 15, 2026, we announced that our subsidiaries NORI and TOML submitted extensive datasets to the ISA’s DeepData, covering a decade of exploration in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. Dataset includes 777 equipment deployments and over 4,800 distinct environmental samples, generating 76,000 biological records and 69,185 geochemical data points, across the entire water column. The submission builds on prior submissions (March 2023 and May 2024) that together comprise hundreds of thousands of records, over 12,000 seafloor images, and extensive deep-pelagic sampling below 4,000 meters, forming one of the most comprehensive deep-ocean monitoring programs. TMC’s subsidiaries now contribute roughly one-third of all CCZ data in DeepData. The data will also be published to the OBIS-ISA node, where TMC subsidiary data already account for 54% of all biological records, a share expected to increase significantly following publication.
Exclusivity on Lease Option for Site in Brownsville, Texas
On March 27, 2026, we announced that TMC USA currently holds an exclusive right of negotiation with the Port of Brownsville, Texas on a lease and / or lease option for land sufficient to develop a domestic nodule processing and refining ecosystem for TMC USA and other American nodule developers, with the ultimate decision conditional on U.S. government support. The option on a 50-year lease would cover a total of 1,466 acres of land at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, in two separate land parcels (735 acres on the Brownsville Texas Shipping Channel and an adjacent 731 acres). There is currently no financial commitment required of TMC USA.
Strategic Partnership with Mariana Minerals
On March 19, 2026, we signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Mariana Minerals (“Mariana”) focusing on the potential development of a nodule processing and refining facility in the Port of Brownsville, Texas as part of our owner’s team. Mariana brings an AI, software-first approach to the permitting, construction and operation of critical mineral projects: fast-tracked capital project execution, which enabled Tesla to build its Lithium plant in Texas in less than 20 months and is core to how SpaceX and other cutting edge businesses operate, can be even further accelerated via a software-first approach and offers a faster, more modern pathway to re-industrialization.
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TMC USA Files First Consolidated Deep-Seabed Mining Application, Increasing Expected Commercial Recovery Permit Area to 65,000 km 2 and Receives Substantial Compliance from NOAA
On January 22, 2026, we announced that TMC USA had submitted a consolidated application to NOAA for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for polymetallic nodules in international waters of the CCZ. The application represents the first consolidated exploration license and commercial recovery permit application submitted under NOAA’s new consolidated application and review process and increases the applied for commercial recovery area from ~25,000 to ~65,000 km2, with an estimated resource of 619 million tonnes (Mt) of wet nodules and a potential exploration upside. TMC USA was able to apply under NOAA’s new consolidated process because it can demonstrate the scientific, technical and financial capability to pursue commercial recovery activities expeditiously.
On March 9, 2026, we announced that NOAA determined that the consolidated application submitted by TMC USA for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit is in substantial compliance with the applicable requirements under DSHMRA and its implementing regulations. This determination marks a key step in the U.S. regulatory process for exploration and commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules in the CCZ under NOAA’s new rule establishing a consolidated application and review process. The process enables a more efficient regulatory timeline by allowing exploration-phase environmental, geological, and engineering data to be incorporated directly into the commercial recovery review.
TMC Welcomes NOAA Rule Modernizing Deep-Seabed Mining Permits for U.S. Companies in the High Seas
On January 21, 2026, we welcomed the new rule issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updating regulations governing deep seabed mineral exploration and commercial recovery under DSHMRA. Final rule establishes a consolidated application and review process under DSHMRA, allowing companies that have completed the necessary exploration, environmental, and technological development work to rely on exploration-phase data in commercial recovery permit applications, reducing duplication and improving regulatory efficiency.
Developments Subsequent to March 31, 2026
Signing of Offshore System Development and Production Agreement with Allseas
On May 11, 2026, we signed a Contract for Development Work and Commercial Production with Allseas Deepsea Marine Contractors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allseas, for the design, development, build, testing, commissioning and operation of an integrated offshore polymetallic nodule collection and production system in our license area, building on our prior Strategic Alliance Agreement and pilot system trials. The Production System is designed for a steady-state production capacity of 3.0 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) of wet nodules, with commissioning and commencement of commercial production subject to receipt of a commercial recovery permit from NOAA. We expect system commissioning to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, subject to receipt of required permits and regulatory approvals. Operating costs during commercial production are reimbursable on a cost basis, with performance-linked incentives. The Agreement also governs the settlement of amounts previously accrued by the Company in respect of development work and lay-up costs, including amounts owed to Allseas and its affiliates as at March 31, 2026 totaling $32.1 million: these amounts invoiced by Allseas under the former agreement, represent 50% of the costs incurred by Allseas (the "Incurred Costs"). Upon executing the Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay an additional $2.3 million, related to certain initial costs and lay-up costs. In settlement of these amounts (totaling $34.4 million) and pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will issue to Allseas Group S.A. 7,377,835 common shares, with a final settlement of costs up to the signing of this agreement to be completed in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. As prescribed in the Agreement, the settlement in shares is calculated using a volume-weighted average price (VWAP) over the 20 days preceding the effective date as stipulated in the Agreement, less a discount of 10%. Pursuant to the Agreement, Incurred Costs up to the signing of this agreement, not yet invoiced by Allseas, will be payable in any event, which the Company expects to settle in cash through production revenues, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. The Agreement has an initial term of five years commencing on the start of commercial production, with provision for extension on terms to be agreed. The contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales, with disputes subject to ICC arbitration in London. Allseas is a related party of the Company.
NOAA Confirms Full Compliance of TMC USA’s Consolidated Application
On April 28, 2026, TMC USA received notice of full compliance from NOAA on its consolidated application. This determination of full compliance is a procedural milestone confirming that the application satisfies the applicable requirements under DSHMRA and its implementing regulations; it does not constitute and should not be construed as an approval, grant, or issuance of the requested
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exploration license or commercial recovery permit. TMC USA formally submitted a consolidated application to NOAA for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for polymetallic nodules in the CCZ on January 22, 2026. The application is now in the certification review stage.
Regulation of Mining of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodules by the United States
The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act
DSHMRA establishes a domestic legal regime for U.S. citizens to explore for and commercially recover hard mineral resources from the seabed in areas beyond U.S. national jurisdiction. DSHMRA affirms that deep-sea mining is a lawful exercise of the freedoms of the high seas, subject to a duty of reasonable regard to the interests of other states in their exercise of those and other freedoms recognized by the general principles of international law, and provides a regulatory structure administered by NOAA, an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce. DSHMRA’s implementing regulations detail the criteria and conditions for NOAA’s issuance of deep seabed exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits to U.S. citizens, including any individual, corporation, or other entity organized under the laws of a U.S. state or territory.
The purpose of DSHMRA is to promote the development of seabed minerals by U.S. citizens while ensuring environmental protection, avoidance of conflict with other high seas uses, and consistency with international law. Before any license or permit is issued, NOAA must determine that the proposed activities meet a series of statutory requirements, including that the activity: (i) will not unreasonably interfere with the lawful use of the high seas by other states; (ii) is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and international obligations; (iii) does not create a risk to international peace and security; (iv) is not expected to result in significant adverse environmental effects; and (v) does not pose undue risk to the safety of life or property at sea. These findings reflect NOAA’s mandate of advancing U.S. commercial interests in seabed minerals while minimizing environmental, diplomatic and safety risks.
We believe NOAA has historically adopted a cautious and science-based regulatory approach under DSHMRA, coordinating with other U.S. federal agencies and supporting environmental studies to inform future decisions. In the 1980s and 1990s, the United States entered into reciprocal recognition arrangements with other nations with similar domestic seabed mining laws, in order to avoid overlapping claims prior to the establishment of the ISA. Once the ISA became operational in the 1990s, most reciprocating states transitioned to the UNCLOS/ISA regime. The United States, however, remains outside that framework.
Exploration licenses under DSHMRA grant exclusive rights to conduct technical studies in a defined area and are issued for ten-year terms, subject to extension. Commercial recovery permits authorize full-scale extraction for a period of 20 years subject to extension and enhanced environmental and operational requirements. To date, NOAA has issued exploration licenses over four areas. Two of these licenses (USA-1 and USA-4) remain active and are currently held by Lockheed Martin. These licenses have been renewed until 2027 in accordance with DSHMRA’s statutory provisions, which require NOAA to grant extensions if the licensee has substantially complied with license terms. NOAA has not issued any commercial recovery permits under DSHMRA as no U.S. citizen had applied for a commercial recovery permit prior to TMC USA.
The review process under DSHMRA involves three stages: (i) a determination that the application is in compliance with applicable requirements; (ii) certification of the applicant and the proposed program; and (iii) an environmental review and determination of terms and conditions. The certification process includes an interagency consultation with other U.S. government departments (including the Department of State, the Department of War, and the Environmental Protection Agency). Following certification, an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, is expected to be prepared, and a public comment period, including a public hearing, will be provided. Following the public comment period, NOAA will determine whether to issue the requested licenses and permit, and if so, under what terms and conditions. All licenses and permits issued under DSHMRA are subject to oversight, periodic reporting, and potential suspension or revocation for noncompliance.
DSHMRA and its implementing regulations do not include a statutory deadline for application review. However, the Executive Order signed by President Trump on April 24, 2025, directs the Secretary of Commerce to implement an expedited process for reviewing and issuing licenses and permits under DSHMRA.
DSHMRA’s implementing regulations for commercial recovery permits requires that all mining vessels and at least one transport vessel are U.S. flagged (15 C.F.R. § 971.205). TMC USA will ensure all vessels contracted for commercial recovery comply with relevant laws pertaining to vessel standards and crew safety. DSHMRA’s implementing regulations for commercial recovery permits also require that recovered minerals be processed in the United States unless a waiver is granted, in which case the permittee is required
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to provide assurances that processed materials are returned to the United States (15 C.F.R. § 971.209). We are currently evaluating U.S.-based vessel and processing options to satisfy this requirement as well as working with Japan and South Korea-based supply chains to ensure processed materials can be returned to the United States in the event the permit to process outside the United States is granted for an initial period. If necessary, we expect to seek a waiver based on the statutory criteria and applicable regulations.
We expect to become subject to additional U.S. laws and regulations as development progresses and are in the early stages of analyzing their applicability and potential impact on our operations.
Existing ISA Exploration Contracts
NORI and TOML currently hold exploration rights to certain polymetallic nodule areas in the CCZ, sponsored by the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga, respectively.
NORI, our wholly-owned subsidiary, holds exploration rights to four blocks (NORI Area A, B, C, and D, the “NORI Contract Area”) covering 74,830 square kilometers in the CCZ that were granted by the ISA in July 2011. NORI is sponsored by Nauru pursuant to a certificate of sponsorship signed by the Government of Nauru on April 11, 2011. In September 2017, Nauru and NORI entered into a sponsorship agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to NORI’s exploration and potential collection of nodules in the NORI Contract Area, which was revised in May 2025.
TOML, our wholly-owned subsidiary which we acquired in March 2020, holds exploration rights to an area covering 74,713 square kilometers in the CCZ that were granted by the ISA in January 2012 (the “TOML Contract Area”). On March 8, 2008, Tonga and TOML entered into a sponsorship agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to TOML’s exploration and potential collection of nodules in the TOML Contract Area, which was most recently revised in August 2025.
Key Trends, Opportunities and Uncertainties
We are currently a pre-revenue company, and we do not anticipate earning revenues (other than potential service revenue) until one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries receives an exploitation contract or commercial recovery permit and we are able to successfully collect and process polymetallic nodules into saleable products on a commercial scale. We believe that our performance and future success are subject to risks and challenges, including those related to the final issuance of a commercial recovery permit by NOAA, development of environmental terms, conditions and restrictions associated with our application and development of our technologies to collect and process polymetallic nodules. While NOAA has determined that our consolidated application is in full compliance with the applicable requirements under DSHMRA (a procedural milestone that advances the application to the certification review stage), this determination does not constitute, and should not be construed as, a grant or approval of the requested licenses or commercial recovery permit. The permit issuance remains subject to the successful completion of all remaining review stages under DSHMRA, including certification (with interagency consultation), preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, a public comment period, and NOAA’s final determination as to whether to issue the licenses and permit and, if so, under what terms and conditions. The timing of NOAA’s final decision remains uncertain and is outside the Company’s control. Actual timelines for certification, environmental review, and potential issuance of licenses or permits may differ materially from management’s current expectations. These risks, as well as other risks, are discussed in the section entitled “ Risk Factors ” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.
Basis of Presentation
We currently conduct our business through one operating segment. As a pre-revenue company with no commercial operations, our activities to date have been limited. Our results are reported under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and in U.S. dollars.
Components of Results of Operations
We are in the development stage with no revenue to date and a net loss of $20.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to a net loss of $20.6 million in the same period of 2025. We have an accumulated deficit of approximately $971.9 million from inception through March 31, 2026.
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Our historical results may not be indicative of our future results for reasons that may be difficult to anticipate. Accordingly, the drivers of our future financial results, as well as the components of such results, may not be comparable to our historical or projected results of operations.
We align our operating expenses based on activity performed by our personnel, which allocates these costs under Exploration and Evaluation expenses and General and Administrative expenses. This alignment is adjusted throughout the year to reflect changes in business activities.
Revenue
To date, we have not generated any revenue. We expect to generate revenue once we receive a commercial recovery permit, and we are able to successfully collect and process polymetallic nodules into saleable products on a commercial scale. Any revenue from initial production is difficult to predict.
Exploration and Evaluation Expenses
We expense all costs relating to exploration and development of mineral claims. Such exploration and development costs include, but are not limited to, regulatory approvals, exploration mineral title management, geological, geochemical and geophysical studies, environmental baseline studies and process development activities. Our exploration expenses are impacted by the amount of exploration work conducted during each period. The acquisition cost of polymetallic nodule mineral title will be charged to operations as amortization expense on a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves should commercial production commence in the future.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses consist primarily of compensation for employees, consultants and directors, including wages and salaries, share-based compensation, consulting fees, investor relations expenses, expenses related to advertising and marketing functions, insurance costs, office and sundry expenses, professional fees (including legal, audit and tax fees), travel expenses and transfer and filing fees.
Share-based compensation costs from the issuance of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) are measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and are recognized over the related service period. Share-based compensation costs are charged to exploration expenses and general and administrative expenses depending on the function fulfilled by the holder of the award. In instances where an award is issued for financing related services, the costs are included within equity as part of the financing costs. We recognize forfeiture of any awards as they occur.
Interest Income/Expense
Interest income consists primarily of interest earned on our cash balance.
Fees and Interest on Borrowings and Credit Facilities
Fees and interest on borrowings and credit facilities represent interest charged on our short-term debt and interest and underutilization fees associated with our credit facilities.
Foreign Exchange Loss/Gain
The foreign exchange income or loss for the periods reported primarily relates to unrealized gain or loss due to revaluation of foreign denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Change in Fair Value of Warrants Liability
The change in fair value of warrants liabilities primarily consists of the change in the fair value of the 9,500,000 Private Warrants issued to Sustainable Opportunities Holdings LLC concurrently with Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp.’s (“SOAC”) initial
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public offering (the “Private Warrants”). For accounting purposes, we were considered to have issued the Private Warrants as part of the Business Combination, and we are required to re-measure the fair value of our Private Warrants at the end of each reporting period.
Results of Operations
The following is a discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Our accounting policies are described in Note 3 “Significant Accounting Policies” in our financial statements filed as part of the 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Comparison of the Three Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except as noted)
2026
2025
% Change
Exploration and evaluation expenses
$
13,257
$
9,515
39
%
General and administrative expenses
20,725
8,500
144
%
Equity-accounted investment loss
2,998
35
8,466
%
Gain on dilution of investment
(4,602)
—
100
%
Change in fair value of warrants liability
(10,662)
441
(2,518)
%
Foreign exchange loss (gain)
(690)
1,095
(163)
%
Interest income
(1,136)
(19)
(5,879)
%
Fees and interest on borrowings and credit facility
665
1,021
(35)
%
Tax expense
44
—
100
%
Loss for the period, after tax
$
20,599
$
20,588
—
%
Three Months ended March 31, 2026 compared to Three Months ended March 31, 2025
We reported a net loss of approximately $20.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a net loss of $20.6 million in the same period of 2025. The following explains the major reasons for the decrease in the net loss in the first quarter of 2026.
Exploration and Evaluation Expenses
Exploration and evaluation expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $13.3 million, compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2025. The increase of $3.8 million is primarily due to an higher share-based compensation expense of $3.6 million due to the amortization of the fair value of RSUs granted to the officers in the third quarter of 2025, increase of $1.8 million in prefeasibility study costs related to the expanded scope of the prefeasibility study refresh, partially offset by a decrease in mining, technological and process development of $1.6 million and a decrease of $1.0 million in environmental cost.
General and Administrative Expenses
G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $20.7 million compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2025. The increase of $12.2 million in G&A expenses was mainly due to the result of an increase in share-based compensation of $11.1 million due to the amortization of the fair value of RSUs granted to the directors and officers in the third quarter of 2025 and increase in payroll costs, partially offset by a decrease in legal costs in the first quarter of 2026.
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Gain on Dilution of Investment
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, The Metals Royalty Company issued 1,000,000 common shares as compensation expenses and 3,134,481 common shares on the release of subscription receipts resulting in gross proceed of $15.7 million. The Company did not participate in the offering, which resulted in a decrease of its ownership interest from 27.2% to 25.15% (December 31, 2025: 27.2%). As the shares were issued at a price higher than The Metals Royalty Company’s book value per share, the Company recorded a dilution gain of $4.6 million.
Change in Fair Value of Warrants Liability
The fair value of the 9,500,000 Private Warrants liability at March 31, 2026 of $2.7 million, represents a decrease of $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, results from the decrease in the price of the Company’s shares and the price of our public warrants over this same period (-24% and -74% respectively). Refer to Note 12 in the Company’s first quarter of 2026 interim financial statements for further details on this non-operating, non-cash decrease.
Fees and Interest on Borrowings and Credit Facilities
There were no outstanding drawn amounts under the Company’s credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and no interest expense was incurred compared to $0.1 million interest expense in the same period of 2025. Underutilization fees on these facilities were $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, remaining unchanged from the same period in 2025. The first quarter of 2025 also included interest of $0.2 million on the Company’s short term debt borrowings which were terminated in 2025.
Interest Income
The operating loss was offset by interest income of $1.1 million reflecting higher cash balances beginning in the second quarter of 2025.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of financing have come from private placements and public offerings of Common Shares and warrants, and the issuance of convertible debentures. As of March 31, 2026, we had cash on hand of $119.7 million, including $9 million of tax withholdings remitted to authorities in early April 2026.
In light of the significant deficit in expected funding following the closing of the Business Combination in September 2021, we adopted what we call a “capital-light” strategy whereby we removed any allocation of funds to capital expenditures that were not deemed necessary to support the submission of an application for an exploitation contract for the NORI Area D and then the applications of exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits with NOAA under DHMRA, and by negotiating the settlement of program expenditures with our equity whenever possible, and by utilizing existing assets for offshore and onshore production.
We have yet to generate any revenue from our business operations. We are a development company and the recovery of our investment in mineral exploration contracts and attainment of profitable operations is dependent upon many factors including, among other things, the development of a commercial production system for collecting polymetallic nodules from the seafloor as well as the development of our processing technology for the metallurgical treatment of such nodules, the establishment of additional mineable reserves, the demonstration of commercial and technical feasibility of seafloor polymetallic nodule collection and processing systems, metal prices, and securing approvals under the U.S. regulatory regime or ISA exploitation contracts or provisional approvals. While we have obtained financing in the past, there is no assurance that such financing will continue to be available on favorable terms, in sufficient amounts, or at all.
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We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future, particularly as we advance our application to NOAA for a commercial recovery permit and preparation for potential commercialization. Based on our cash balance and availability of borrowing under our credit facility with ERAS Capital LLC and Gerard Barron, when compared with our forecasted cash expenditures, we believe we will have sufficient funds to meet our obligations that become due within the next twelve months. Our estimates used in reaching this conclusion are based on information available as at the date of filing this Annual Report. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates and resulting variances may result in our need for additional funding in an amount greater or earlier than expected, due to changes in business conditions or other developments, including, but not limited to, deferral of approvals, capital and operating cost escalation, currently unrecognized technical and development challenges, our ability to pay certain vendors or suppliers in our Common Shares or changes in external business environment.
In addition, we will, however, need and are seeking additional financing to fund our continued operations over time. These financings could include additional public or private equity, debt financings, equity-linked financings or other sources of financing, including through government-based funding, non-dilutive asset, royalty or project-based and/or asset-based financings. If these financing or other financing sources are not available, or if the terms of financing are less desirable than we expect, or if in insufficient amounts, we may be forced to delay our exploration and/or exploitation activities or further scale back our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial prospects.
On September 16, 2022, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which the SEC declared effective on October 14, 2022, to sell up to $100 million of securities. In addition, on November 30, 2023, we filed an additional registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which the SEC declared effective on December 8, 2023, to sell up to an additional $100 million of securities. As previously disclosed in 2025, remaining capacity on the two previously filed Form S-3s has been nearly extinguished following various equity and warrant transactions. We filed a new registration statement on Form S-3 on March 31, 2026, following the filing of our 2025 Annual Report. Securities that may be sold under the registration statements include common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants and units. Any such offering, if it does occur, may happen in one or more transactions. Specific terms of any securities to be sold will be described in supplemental filings with the SEC.
On December 22, 2022, we entered into an At-the-Market Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”) and Wedbush Securities Inc., as sales agents, allowing us, from time to time, to issue and sell common shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $30 million. In 2025, we issued 7,542,996 common shares at an average share price of $2.02, for net proceeds of $14.8 million under the Sale Agreement. The Sales Agreement expired in October 2025.
On March 22, 2023, we entered into the 2023 Credit Facility with Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV, the parent of Allseas Investments S.A. and an affiliate of Allseas, which was amended on July 31, 2023 and March 22, 2024, pursuant to which, we were able to borrow from the Lender up to $25 million in the aggregate, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. All amounts drawn under the 2023 Credit Facility bore interest at the 6-month SOFR, 180-day average plus 4.0% per annum payable in cash semi-annually (or plus 5% if paid-in-kind at maturity, our election) on the first business day of each of June and January. We agreed to pay an underutilization fee equal to 4.0% per annum payable semi-annually for any amounts that remain undrawn under the 2023 Credit Facility. We had the right to pre-pay the entire amount outstanding under the 2023 Credit Facility at any time, before the 2023 Credit Facility’s stated maturity of August 31, 2025. The 2023 Credit Facility also contained customary events of default. No amounts had been drawn under the 2023 Credit Facility. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement we entered into on March 24, 2025, we and Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV agreed to cancel the 2023 Credit Facility with no outstanding amounts remaining, other than our obligation to pay the underutilization fee thereunder.
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On March 22, 2024, we entered into an Unsecured Credit Facility (the “2024 Credit Facility”) with Gerard Barron, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and ERAS Capital LLC, the family fund of one of the Company’s directors, (collectively, the “2024 Lenders”), pursuant to which, we may borrow from the 2024 Lenders up to $20 million in the aggregate ($10 million from each of the 2024 Lenders), from time to time, subject to certain conditions. All amounts drawn under the 2024 Credit Facility will bear interest at the 6-month Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), 180-day average plus 4.0% per annum payable in cash semi-annually (or plus 5% if paid-in-kind at maturity, at our election) on the first business day of each of June and January. We will pay an underutilization fee equal to 4.0% per annum payable semi-annually for any amounts that remain undrawn under the 2024 Credit Facility. The 2024 Credit Facility also contains customary events of default. On August 13, 2024, we entered into the First Amendment to the 2024 Credit Facility with the 2024 Lenders, to increase the borrowing limit of the 2024 Credit Facility to $25 million in the aggregate ($12.5 million from each of the 2024 Lenders). On November 14, 2024, we entered into the Second Amendment to the 2024 Credit Facility with the 2024 Lenders, to increase the borrowing limit to $38 million in the aggregate ($19 million from each of the 2024 Lenders) and to extend the maturity of the 2024 Credit Facility to December 31, 2025. As per the Second Amendment, the rate of underutilization fee was retroactively increased from March 22, 2024, to 6.5% on any undrawn amounts under the 2024 Credit Facility. On March 26, 2025, we entered into the Third Amendment to the 2024 Credit Facility with the 2024 Lenders, to, among other things, increase the borrowing limit to $44 million in the aggregate ($22 million from each of the 2024 Lenders) and extend the maturity of the 2024 Credit Facility to June 30, 2026 with the 2024 Lenders having an option to extend the maturity date by up to two additional one year periods. As per the Third Amendment to the 2024 Credit Facility, the underutilization fees are to be paid quarterly in cash or shares at the 2024 Lenders election and the 2024 Lenders have an option to terminate the credit facility upon certain financing events. On March 25, 2026, the 2024 Lenders extended the maturity date of the 2024 Credit Facility by one year, expiring on June 30, 2027, subject to further extension to June 30, 2028 at the election of the 2024 Lenders.
On September 9, 2024, we entered into a Working Capital Loan Agreement with Allseas Investments, a company related to Allseas. In accordance with the Working Capital Loan Agreement, Allseas Investments provided a loan to us amounting to $5 million (the “Working Capital Loan”) on September 10, 2024, to be used towards general corporate purposes and the repayment of all outstanding amounts under the short-term loan between us and the Lender. The Working Capital Loan was payable to the Lender on or before the earlier of (i) the occurrence of certain financing events and (ii) April 1, 2025 (the “Repayment Date”). The Working Capital Loan bore interest based on the 6-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, 180-day average plus a margin of 4.0% per annum payable in two installments on January 2, 2025, and the Repayment Date (or plus a margin of 5.0% if we deferred all interest payments to the Repayment Date). On October 18, 2024, we entered into the First Amendment to the Working Capital Loan Agreement with Allseas Investments, resulting in a further draw of $2.5 million by us and a total Working Capital Loan drawn amount of $7.5 million. On March 24, 2025, we entered into the Letter Agreement with Allseas Investments and Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV, pursuant to which the repayment date under the Working Capital Loan Agreement was extended to September 30, 2025. In the second quarter of 2025, the entire Working Capital Loan amount along with the interest payable was repaid and the facility was cancelled.
On November 14, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “2024 Purchase Agreement”) with certain new and existing institutional investors for the sale of an aggregate of 17,500,000 common shares (the “Shares”) and accompanying Class B warrants (the “Class B Warrants”), in a registered direct offering. The offering price was $1.00 per common share, with each common share including an accompanying Class B Warrant to purchase 0.5 common shares. The Class B Warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at a price of $2.00 per share and expire five years from issuance. On November 26, 2024, we entered into the First Amendment to the 2024 Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to sell and issue an additional 2,400,000 common shares and accompanying Class B Warrants to purchase 1,200,000 common shares to new investors on the same terms and conditions as initially offered. Including the First Amendment to the 2024 Purchase Agreement, we agreed to sell and issue in aggregate 19,900,000 common shares and Class B Warrants to purchase 9,950,000 common shares. We received gross proceeds in the offering, exclusive of warrant exercises, of $19.9 million (net proceeds of $14.2 million, after offering expenses), of which $5 million was received on February 6, 2025.
On May 12, 2025, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain new and existing investors, including an existing strategic investor, for the sale of an aggregate of 12,333,333 common shares and accompanying Class C Warrants, in a registered direct offering, for gross proceeds, exclusive of warrant exercises, of $37 million (net proceeds of $36.7 million, after offering expenses). The offering price was $3.00 per common share, with each common share including an accompanying Class C Warrant to purchase one common share. The Class C Warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at a price of $4.50 per share and expire three years from issuance.
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On June 16, 2025, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Korea Zinc, pursuant to which in consideration of gross cash receipt of $85.2 million, we agreed to issue and sell to Korea Zinc 19,623,376 of our common shares and accompanying warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,868,181 common shares. The purchase price per share and accompanying warrant was set at $4.34. The Korea Zinc Warrant is exercisable at an exercise price of $7.00 per share and expires on June 25, 2028. Pursuant to this Securities Purchase Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, Korea Zinc will have a right to participate in any public offering or private placement of any of our common shares or common share equivalents primarily for capital raising purposes (each a “Proposed Offering”) up to such amount of securities to maintain its percentage ownership at the time of such Proposed Offering. Such right to participate in future financings will expire upon the earlier to occur of (i) June 16, 2030, (ii) the date on which Korea Zinc owns less than all of the common shares it purchased and subscribed pursuant to this Securities Purchase Agreement and (iii) immediately after a closing of a Proposed Offering where Korea Zinc does not exercise its participation right in full. The funds raised under this Securities Purchase Agreement are to be used for general corporate purposes.
We may receive up to approximately $432.5 million in aggregate gross proceeds from cash exercises of the Public Warrants, the Private Warrants, the Class A Warrants, the Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants, and Warrants issued to Korea Zinc, Nauru and Tonga based on the per share exercise price of such warrants. However, the exercise price for the outstanding Public Warrants and Private Warrants is $11.50 per common share and there can be no assurance that such warrants will be in the money prior to their expiration, and as such, such warrants may expire in September 2026 worthless. In certain circumstances, the Public Warrants and Private Warrants, Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants and Class C Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis and the proceeds from the exercise of such warrants will decrease. Furthermore, even if the warrants will be in the money, the holders of the warrants are not obligated to exercise their warrants, and we cannot predict whether holders of the warrants will choose to exercise all or any of their warrants. The warrants issued to the Republic of Nauru and Kingdom of Tonga can only be exercised after the commercial recovery permit is received and commercial production commences and there can be no assurance that the exercise conditions will be met prior to their expiration. In addition, the exercise price to purchase one common share under the outstanding Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants is $2.00 each, Class C Warrants is $4.5, warrants issued to Korea Zinc is $7.00, warrants issued to Republic of Nauru is $4.72 and warrants issued to Tonga is $5.87 (subject to customary adjustments) and there can be no assurance that such warrants will be exercised prior to their expiration, and as such, such warrants may expire, and we will not receive any proceeds from the exercise thereof.
Cash Flows Summary
Presented below is a summary of our operating, investing and financing cash flows:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(thousands)
2026
2025
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(615)
$
(9,347)
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(35)
$
(70)
Net cash provided by financing activities
$
2,719
$
8,293
Increase (decrease) in cash
$
2,069
$
(1,124)
Three Months ended March 31, 2026 compared to Three Months ended March 31, 2025
Cash flows used in Operating Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, major operating activities included initial work on pre-feasibility studies update and work to advance our permit applications, resulting in net cash used in operating activities of $0.6 million. This consisted of $4.1 million on payroll costs, $1 million on various environmental work, $1.1 million on legal and consulting fees, $1.2 million on business development, communications and IT costs, $0.8 million on prefeasibility studies and mining, technological and process development costs, $0.7 million on stakeholder engagement, $0.7 million on underutilization fees paid to the lenders of the 2024 Credit Facility and an additional $1 million for various expenses. The outflow was offset by receipt of interest income of $1.1 million and recovery of withholding taxes on awards that vested in the first quarter of 2026.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, major operating activities included advanced work on pre-feasibility studies and work to advance our permit applications, resulting in net cash used in operating activities of $9.3 million. This consisted of $3 million on various environmental work, $2.6 million on payroll costs, $1.5 million on stakeholder engagement, $1 million on legal and consulting fees and an additional $1.2 million for various expenses.
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Cash flows used in Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities for three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 represent the purchase of equipment and software development.
Cash flows provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $2.7 million, which comprised of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $8.3 million, which comprised of proceeds received from the Registered Direct Offering announced in November 2024 of $5 million (less fees of $0.5 million), proceeds from shares issued from our ATM of $5.6 million and the repayment of short-term debt of $1.8 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
NORI Exploration Contract
As part of the NORI Exploration Contract with the ISA, NORI submitted a periodic review report to the ISA which included a five-year plan covering 2022 to 2026: NORI is currently implementing its approved five-year plan. NORI’s exploration contract expires on July 21, 2026. NORI submitted an application to the ISA for a five-year extension of the contract that is currently under review. The cost of the proposed five-year plan of work include in NORI’s extension application is dependent on the ISA’s approval of the NORI extension Work plans are reviewed annually by NORI, agreed with the ISA and may be subject to change depending on their progress to date.
TOML Exploration Contract
As part of the TOML Exploration Contract with the ISA, TOML submitted a periodic review report to the ISA which included a five-year plan covering 2022 to 2026. TOML is currently implementing its approved plan, which included an estimated five-year expenditure of up to $44 million. The five-year estimated expenditure is indicative and subject to change, TOML will review the program regularly and TOML will inform the ISA of any changes through its annual reports. TOML’s exploration contract expires on January 10, 2027. TOML is required to submit an application for extension no later than six months before the expiration of the contract. TOML intends to submit an application for a five-year extension in 2026.
Regulatory Obligations Relating to Exploration Contracts
Both TOML and NORI require sponsorship from their host sponsoring States, Tonga and Nauru, respectively. Each company has been registered and incorporated within the applicable host State’s jurisdiction. The ISA requires that a contractor must obtain and maintain sponsorship by a host state that is a member of the ISA, and such state must maintain effective supervision and regulatory control over such sponsored contractor. Each of TOML and NORI is subject to the registration and incorporation requirements of these nations. In the event the sponsorship is otherwise terminated, such subsidiary will be required to obtain new sponsorship from another state that is a member of the ISA. Failure to obtain such new sponsorship would have a material impact on the operations of such subsidiary and us.
Sponsorship Agreements
NORI is sponsored by Nauru pursuant to a certificate of sponsorship signed by the Government of Nauru on April 11, 2011. NORI is a Nauruan incorporated entity and is subject to applicable Nauruan legislation and regulations. In 2015, the Nauruan government established the Nauru Seabed Minerals Authority to regulate activities carried out by companies sponsored by Nauru.
Throughout the period of the NORI Exploration Contract, NORI must be sponsored by a State that is party to UNCLOS. If the nationality or control of NORI changes or NORI’s sponsoring State, as defined in the ISA Regulations, terminates its sponsorship, NORI must promptly notify the ISA. In either event, if NORI does not obtain another sponsor meeting the requirements prescribed in the ISA Regulations and fails to submit to the ISA a certificate of sponsorship for NORI in the prescribed form within six months, the NORI Exploration Contract will terminate.
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On July 5, 2017, Nauru, the Nauru Seabed Minerals Authority and NORI entered into a sponsorship agreement (the “NORI Sponsorship Agreement”) formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to NORI’s exploration and potential collection of nodules within the NORI Contract Area of the CCZ. On May 29, 2025 the Republic of Nauru and NORI signed a revised Sponsorship Agreement, updating the terms of the Agreement signed between the parties in 2017.
The revised Sponsorship Agreement will remain in force unless terminated by mutual agreement of the parties or earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, including in the event of a material breach by either party or upon the assignment of NORI’s rights and the transfer of sponsorship to another sponsoring State. Under the agreement, NORI will pay Nauru a seabed mineral recovery payment of $2 per tonne of polymetallic nodules recovered under an ISA contract, subject to annual inflation adjustment. In addition, NORI will pay an annual administration fee, initially set at $500,000, which may increase by 5% annually, to support Nauru’s administration of its sponsorship and regulatory oversight. The agreement also provides for potential continuity payments to Nauru if a subsidiary other than NORI develops nodules in the NORI Contract Area under the U.S. regulatory regime with the applicable payment amounts and schedule to be determined in accordance with the terms of the agreement. During any period in which such continuity payments are made, NORI has agreed to maintain an office in Nauru and make annual investments in local presence, community initiatives and training and capacity-building programs for Nauruan nationals. In connection with the Sponsorship Agreement, Nauru holds warrants to purchase 9,146,268 of our common shares at an exercise price of $4.72. In connection with the revised Sponsorship Agreement, we also executed a Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity in favor of Nauru, under which we guarantee certain financial obligations of NORI under Nauruan law and the Sponsorship Agreement and provides limited indemnification.
On March 8, 2008, Tonga and TOML entered into the TOML Sponsorship Agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to TOML’s exploration and potential exploitation of a proposed application to the ISA (subsequently granted) known as the TOML Area. TOML updated the sponsorship agreement with Tonga in September 2021 and again on August 4, 2025.
The revised Sponsorship Agreement between Tonga and TOML will remain in force unless terminated by mutual agreement of the parties or earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, including in the event of a material breach by either party. Under the agreement, Tonga will continue to sponsor TOML’s seabed mineral activities in the ISA contract area. Upon commencement of commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules under an ISA contract, TOML will pay the Tonga Seabed Minerals Authority a commercial recovery payment of $2 per tonne of polymetallic nodules recovered from the contract area, subject to annual inflation adjustment. In addition, TOML will pay an annual administration fee of $90,000, which may increase by up to 5% annually, to support the administration of Tonga’s sponsorship and regulatory oversight. The agreement also provides for potential continuity benefit payments to Tonga if a subsidiary other than TOML develops nodules in the TOML Contract Area under the U.S. regulatory regime. The applicable payment amounts and schedule will be determined in accordance with the terms of the agreement. During any period in which such continuity benefits are provided, TOML has agreed to maintain an office in Tonga and make annual investments in local presence, community initiatives and training and capacity-building programs for Tongan nationals. In connection with the Sponsorship Agreement, Tonga holds warrants to purchase 1,000,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of $5.87. In connection with the revised Sponsorship Agreement, we also executed a Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity in favor of Tonga, under which we guarantee certain financial obligations of TOML under Tongan law and the Sponsorship Agreement and provides limited indemnification.
Allseas Agreements
On March 29, 2019, we entered into a strategic alliance with Allseas to develop a system to collect, lift and transport nodules from the seafloor to shore and agreed to enter into a nodule collection and shipping agreement whereby Allseas would provide commercial services for the collection of the first 200 million metric tonnes of polymetallic nodules on a cost plus 50% profit basis. In furtherance of this agreement, on July 8, 2019, we entered into a Pilot Mining Test Agreement with Allseas (“PMTA”), which was amended on five occasions through February 2023, to develop and deploy a PMTS, successful completion of which is a prerequisite for our application for an exploitation contract with the ISA. Under the PMTA, Allseas agreed to cover the development cost of the project in exchange for a payment from us upon successful completion of the pilot trial of the PMTS in NORI Area D.
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On March 16, 2022, NORI and Allseas entered into a non-binding term sheet for the development and operation of a commercial nodule collection system. The pilot nodule collection system developed and tested by Allseas is expected to be upgraded to a commercial system with an expanded targeted production capacity of up to an estimated 3.0 million tonnes of wet nodules per year, to be delivered in stepped increments. NORI and Allseas intend to equally finance all costs related to developing and getting the first commercial system into production. Once in production, NORI is expected to pay Allseas a nodule collection and transshipment fee and, as Allseas scales up production to up to an estimated 3.0 million wet tonnes of nodules per year, it is expected that unit costs will be reduced. Following the successful completion of the NORI Area D pilot collection system trials in November 2022 and subsequent analysis of pilot data, the parties are reviewing a commercial nodule collection system production targets, system design and cost estimates and intend to enter into a binding Heads of Terms by the end of 2024. There can be no assurances, however, that we will enter into definitive agreements with Allseas contemplated by the non-binding term sheet in a particular time period, or at all, or on terms similar to those set forth in the non-binding term sheet, or that if such definitive agreements are entered into by us that the proposed commercial systems and second production vessel will be successfully developed or operated in a particular time period, or at all.
Through December 31, 2025, we have made the following payments to Allseas under the PMTA: (a) $10 million in cash in February 2020, (b) $10 million through the issuance of 3.2 million Common Shares valued at $3.11 per share in February 2020, (c) issued Allseas a warrant to purchase 11.6 million Common Shares at a nominal exercise price per share in March 2021, (d) $10 million in cash in October 2021, following the closing of the Business Combination and meeting certain progress targets on the PMTS and (e) on February 23, 2023 issued 10.85 million Common Shares to Allseas. On August 9, 2023, 11,578,620 common shares were issued to Allseas upon the exercise of the warrant that was granted to Allseas in March 2021, and receipt of the exercise fee of $115.8 thousand. The warrant vested and became exercisable on successful completion of the PMTS in November 2022.
On November 11, 2022, our board of directors approved the successful completion and testing of the PMTS in the NORI Area D and payment of the third milestone amounting to $10 million and additional costs owed to Allseas under the PMTA by issuing 10.85 million Common Shares to Allseas priced at $1.00 per share on February 23, 2023.
On August 1, 2023, we entered into an Exclusive Vessel Use Agreement with Allseas pursuant to which Allseas will give us exclusive use of the vessel (“ Hidden Gem ”) in support of the development of the Project Zero Offshore Nodule Collection System until the system is completed or December 31, 2026, whichever is earlier. In consideration of the exclusivity term, on August 14, 2023, we issued 4.15 million Common Shares to Allseas.
Offtake Agreement
On May 25, 2012, DGE and Glencore entered into a copper offtake agreement and a nickel offtake agreement. DGE has agreed to deliver to Glencore 50% of the annual quantity of copper and nickel produced by a DGE-owned facility from nodules derived from the NORI Area at London Metal Exchange referenced market pricing with allowances for product quality and delivery location. Either party may terminate the agreement upon a material breach or insolvency of the other party. Glencore may also terminate the agreement by giving twelve months’ notice.
Borrowing with Company Related to Allseas
2023 Credit Facility
As described above, on March 22, 2023, we entered into the 2023 Credit Facility with Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV, an affiliate of Allseas, under which we may borrow up to $25.0 million pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2023 Credit Facility, as amended, which has a maturity date of August 31, 2025. On August 16, 2024, we entered into the Third Amendment to the 2023 Credit Facility, to increase the borrowing limit of the 2023 Credit Facility to $27.5 million. Under the terms of the Third Amendment, upon closing of the November 2024 Registered Direct Offering discussed above, the borrowing limit returned to $25 million. There was no outstanding balance under the 2023 Credit Facility as at December 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement entered into on March 24, 2025, we agreed to cancel the 2023 Credit Facility with no outstanding amounts remaining, other than our obligation to pay Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV the underutilization fee thereunder.
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2024 Short-Term Loan and Working Capital Loan
On May 27, 2024, we entered into a short-term loan agreement with Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV whereby we borrowed $2 million (the “Loan”) on May 30, 2024. The Loan matured on September 10, 2024 (maturity date) and accrued interest at a rate of 8% per annum. On the maturity date, we repaid the entire Loan amounting to $2 million and the accrued interest.
On September 9, 2024, we entered into a working capital loan agreement (the “Working Capital Loan Agreement”) with Allseas Investments, a company related to Allseas. In accordance with the Working Capital Loan Agreement, Allseas Investments provided a loan to us amounting to $5 million (the “Working Capital Loan”) on September 10, 2024, to be used towards general corporate purposes and the repayment of all outstanding amounts under the Short-Term Loan between us and the Lender. The Working Capital Loan is payable to the Lender on or before the earlier of (i) the occurrence of certain financing events and (ii) April 1, 2025 (the “Original Repayment Date”). The Working Capital Loan will bear interest based on the 6-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, 180-day average plus a margin of 4.0% per annum and is payable in two installments on January 2, 2025, and the Original Repayment Date (or plus a margin of 5.0% if all interest payments are deferred to the Original Repayment Date, at our election). On October 18, 2024, we entered into the First Amendment to the Working Capital Loan Agreement with Allseas Investments, resulting in a further draw of $2.5 million by us and a total Working Capital Loan drawn amount of $7.5 million. On March 24, 2025, we entered into a Letter Agreement with Allseas Investments and Argentum Cedit Virtuti GCV, pursuant to which the Original Repayment Date under the Working Capital Loan Agreement was extended to September 30, 2025, with principal and interest now repayable on that date. During the second quarter of 2025, we repaid the entire outstanding loan and interest, amounting to $7.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and cancelled the Working Capital Loan Agreement.
2024 Credit Facility with ERAS Capital LLC and Gerard Barron
Under the 2024 Credit Facility wit ERAS Capital LLC and Gerard Barron we may borrow up to $44 million in the aggregate ($22 million from each of the 2024 Lenders). On March 25, 2026 the 2024 Lenders extended the Maturity Date by one year for any borrowings under the 2024 Credit Facility, expiring on June 30, 2027. See above for a further description of the 2024 Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2026, we had no borrowing under the 2024 Credit Facility and are only incurring the underutilization fee.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In the preparation of these financial statements, we are required to use judgment in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about items that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Except as described in Note 3 to our condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.