Global demand for nickel and cobalt is surging due to electric vehicle expansion and renewable energy projects. The nickel market is projected to exceed $60 billion while cobalt could reach over $20 billion by decade's end. Supply security concerns are driving interest in North American mining projects, with junior exploration companies attracting investor attention for high-grade deposits that offer lower production costs.

TMC the metals company has signed a definitive contract with offshore engineering firm Allseas to deploy the world's first commercial deep-sea polymetallic nodule collection system. The partnership de-risks TMC's extraction process, with Allseas funding a significant portion of development costs. NOAA regulatory approval and a planned onshore processing hub in Brownsville, Texas, position TMC to address critical mineral supply chain security for EV batteries, though the company remains pre-revenue with significant execution risks.

American Ocean Minerals, formed through a merger with Odyssey Marine Exploration, is positioned to challenge The Metals Company's dominance in deep-sea mining. The combined entity will have significantly larger resource reserves (2+ billion metric tons) compared to The Metals Company (164 million metric tons total), and benefits from experienced leadership including former Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese. Both companies remain speculative investments as neither has begun commercial operations.

The Metals Company (TMC), a money-losing deep-sea mining startup, is gaining political momentum with Trump's executive order supporting critical mineral production, congressional hearings, and a U.S.-Japan treaty. The company aims to produce nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese critical materials. However, significant operational challenges remain and the investment carries high risk.

TMC The Metals Company has gained bullish sentiment among retail investors despite being down 13.5% in 2026. The company received favorable news from NOAA indicating its mining application is in substantial compliance with deep-sea mining regulations, positioning it to receive exploration and extraction permits within the next year. With an estimated NPV of $23.9 billion in targeted mineral resources and a supportive regulatory environment under the Trump administration focused on domestic critical mineral sourcing, TMC remains a high-risk but potentially high-reward speculative play in the critical minerals space.

TMC The Metals Company, a deep-sea mining startup, is trading 50% below its recent high while awaiting regulatory approval for commercial polymetallic nodule harvesting. With the Trump administration prioritizing critical minerals and NOAA confirming key requirements for review, TMC could secure a commercial recovery permit within 12 months. The company trades at only 8-9% of its estimated $23.6 billion net present value, presenting potential massive upside if mining operations commence, though regulatory approval remains uncertain.

The Metals Company (TMC) is benefiting from positive news including a U.S.-Japan deep-sea mining cooperation agreement and NOAA regulatory approval. However, the company remains a money-losing startup years away from generating revenue, with stock price driven by emotions and newsflow rather than fundamentals. Investors should approach with caution and be prepared for a long-term commitment.

REalloys (ALOY) has secured a supply agreement with U.S. Critical Materials Corp for rare earth materials from the Sheep Creek project in Montana, ahead of a January 2027 deadline banning Chinese rare earth materials from U.S. military defense systems. The company is building metallization capacity in Ohio to convert rare earth oxides into finished metals and alloys, with backing from Pentagon officials and federal financing support.

TMC The Metals Company stock is gaining favor with retail investors following news of a U.S.-Japan partnership to accelerate deep-sea mining operations for critical minerals. The stock is up 178% over the last year despite being down 25% year-to-date and having zero revenue. While geopolitical trends favor TMC's expansion, the company remains highly speculative with a $1.9 billion market cap and significant execution risks.

The Metals Company received positive news from NOAA in March when its deep-sea mining application was deemed in 'substantial compliance,' allowing the regulator to continue reviewing it without requiring major revisions. However, this is only the first step in a lengthy regulatory approval process. The company remains unprofitable with $140 million in operating expenses and a loss of $0.83 per share in 2025, making it suitable only for aggressive investors.

The Metals Company (TMC) stock has declined 35% over the past month to under $5, but the article suggests this presents a buying opportunity for long-term investors. Despite recent market pessimism, the company's path to commercial deep-sea mining operations appears clearer with NOAA's positive evaluation of its permit application. Management is confident in securing the permit within a year, and the Trump administration's focus on critical minerals supply strengthens the company's prospects.

Several major companies are reporting earnings this week (March 23-27, 2026). Ondas Holdings impressed with a strong fiscal 2026 revenue outlook of at least $375 million. GameStop will report Q4 results with investors watching for CEO Ryan Cohen's acquisition and growth plans. PDD Holdings faces scrutiny on whether it can maintain double-digit growth while managing Temu's expansion costs. Other notable reporters include Carnival Corp, Pony AI, Beyond Meat, and The Lovesac Co.