TMC Metals Company’s Successful Production of High-Grade Alloy and Manganese Silicate
NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2025 – TMC The Metals Company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC), a leading explorer in the field of critical battery metals, recently announced an impressive achievement in its ongoing feasibility program. The program, which is being carried out in partnership with Pacific Andes Mining Corporation (PAMCO), has seen the successful production of a high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt alloy and manganese silicate using TMC’s 2,000-tonne sample of deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules at PAMCO’s Rotary Kiln Electric-Arc Furnace (RKEF) operating facility in Hachinohe, Japan.
The Significance of the Achievement
The production of this high-grade alloy and manganese silicate is a significant milestone for TMC as it marks a major step forward in the commercialization of deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules as a viable source of critical battery metals. These metals, including nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, are essential components in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used extensively in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
Impact on the Industry
The successful production of this alloy and manganese silicate could have a profound impact on the battery metals industry. Currently, the majority of these metals are sourced from land-based mines, which can be environmentally damaging and come with ethical concerns regarding labor practices. Deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules, on the other hand, are found in vast quantities in the ocean floor and can be extracted using environmentally friendly methods. This could lead to a more sustainable and ethical supply chain for critical battery metals.
Impact on Consumers
For consumers, the production of high-grade alloy and manganese silicate from deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules could lead to a more affordable and accessible supply of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. The current high demand for these metals has led to price volatility and supply chain disruptions, making it difficult for consumers to predict the cost of batteries and the availability of electric vehicles. With a more stable and reliable supply of critical battery metals, consumers could benefit from more predictable pricing and greater access to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
Looking Ahead
TMC’s achievement is just the beginning of what could be a game-changing development for the battery metals industry. The company plans to continue its feasibility program, which will include further testing and optimization of the production process. With the support of its partner PAMCO and the Japanese government, TMC is well-positioned to lead the way in the commercialization of deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules as a sustainable and ethical source of critical battery metals.
Conclusion
TMC’s successful production of a high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt alloy and manganese silicate from deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules is a significant milestone in the commercialization of these nodules as a viable source of critical battery metals. This achievement could lead to a more sustainable and ethical supply chain for these metals, as well as more affordable and accessible batteries for consumers. TMC’s feasibility program will continue, with further testing and optimization of the production process, and the company is well-positioned to lead the way in this exciting new development for the battery metals industry.
- TMC successfully produced high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt alloy and manganese silicate during a smelting campaign
- Production marks a major step forward in the commercialization of deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules as a source of critical battery metals
- Deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules could lead to a more sustainable and ethical supply chain for critical battery metals
- Consumers could benefit from more predictable pricing and greater access to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems
- TMC’s feasibility program will continue with further testing and optimization of the production process
