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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