Erica Ocampo, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Metals Company (TMC), to discuss with Mike Nemer their deep-sea mining operations on episode 315 of The Green Insider. TMC is exploring polymetallic nodules in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, which contain nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese.

Overview of TMC’s Work

TMC is exploring polymetallic nodules in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, which contain nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese

Mining Technology and Process

Operations occur at approximately 4,000 meters depth using a collector vehicle connected to a surface vessel via a riser system
Nodules are lifted using water jets, separated from sediment onboard, and water and sediment are returned to the ocean at 2,000 meters depth

Sustainability and ESG Focus

Erica, Chief Sustainability Officer at TMC, leads ESG integration from the ground up
Environmental programs study seafloor impacts, water‑column effects, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use
Social impact efforts benefit from the remote location, minimizing impacts to local communities
Partnerships with countries such as Nauru and Tonga support scholarships and capacity‑building programs

U.S. Mineral Processing Expansion

TMC plans to process minerals in the United States to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains
Potential processing and port locations include Texas, Japan, and Indonesia
A research vessel accommodating up to 150 scientists has completed 22 ocean campaigns over 13 years, including pilot tests in 2022

Strategic Pivot to Deep‑Sea Mining

TMC shifted from the International Seabed Authority framework to operate under U.S. regulatory oversight, citing clearer processes and communication
The transition took more than a decade and positions the company to begin operations in early 2027

Environmental Context and Research Findings

Focus is on polymetallic nodules in the NORI‑D area, valued for high quality and location in a low‑productivity ecosystem
Research indicates the mid‑water sediment plume dissipates quickly with no significant food‑web impacts observed
The region has no tuna fisheries, reducing ecological risk to commercial species

Overall Perspective

Erica stresses the need for a nuanced, evidence‑based discussion of deep-sea mining rather than black‑and‑white judgments

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