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Deep Sea Minerals moves forward on US polymetallic nodule processing plan
NOAA said in June that Deep Sea Minerals’ application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act was compliant, a step the company called a milestone in the federal review process.
Deep Sea Minerals has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Westwin Elements to evaluate potential U.S.-based processing routes for polymetallic nodules, with the parties aiming to negotiate a definitive joint development agreement after the company secures required rights and approvals, Mining.com reports.
The proposed framework depends on Deep Sea Minerals obtaining subsea mineral rights and all licenses, permits, and other regulatory approvals needed to explore, recover, test, mine, and harvest polymetallic nodules.
Separately, the outlet reports that in June, Deep Sea Minerals’ application submitted under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act was deemed compliant by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which the company described as a milestone in the U.S. federal review process.
Deep Sea Minerals submitted its license application in March, and the company is one of several seeking to explore the Pacific Ocean and extract critical minerals from nodules on the seafloor, Mining.com added.