The Metals Company deep-sea data dump: EIA and design notes for engineers
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

First reported on MINING.com
30 Second Briefing
The Metals Company’s NORI and TOML subsidiaries have submitted 2013–2022 exploration data from the eastern Clarion‑Clipperton Zone to the ISA’s DeepData system, including 777 equipment deployments, over 4,800 environmental samples, 76,000 biological records and 69,185 geochemical data points from depths beyond 4,000 m. The dataset now accounts for roughly one‑third of all CCZ entries in DeepData and 54% of biological records in the OBIS‑ISA node, positioning it as a key reference for Environmental Impact Assessments. TMC argues this evidence base is sufficient to start monitored commercial nodule collection, despite ongoing calls from NGOs for a moratorium.
Technical Brief
- Dataset covers abyssal sediments and water column profiling from surface to >4,000 m depth across eastern CCZ.
- NORI and TOML data collection involved 27 expeditions, including rigorously monitored pilot mining tests.
- Hundreds of thousands of seafloor images support habitat mapping, nodule field characterisation and faunal distribution analysis.
- Work is backed by over US$250 million of environmental and resource characterisation investment since 2013.
- TMC states its findings corroborate NOAA’s 1970s DOMES deep‑ocean mining environmental study outcomes.
- Environmental Impact Assessment for CCZ nodule collection is now complete and used to justify monitored production.
- TMC claims CCZ EIAs, in aggregate, exceed the scope of any previous mining project EIAs globally.
Our Take
The same Clarion-Clipperton Zone data set now lodged with the ISA and OBIS will likely underpin TMC’s consolidated exploration and commercial recovery permit application that NOAA recently deemed complete, tightening the evidentiary link between environmental baselines and US regulatory review.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
Related Articles
Related Industries & Products
Mining
Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.
CMRR-io
Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.
HYDROGEO-io
Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.
GEODB-io
Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.


