TMC Stock Gains On NOAA Compliance Ruling In A Boost To US Critical Metals Push

• The NOAA ruling means that TMC USA’s consolidated exploration and commercial recovery application now moves to the certification stage.
• Once certified, TMC stated that a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project will be published for public comment.
• When the public comment period expires, the company’s EIS will be finalized, and NOAA will determine whether it should issue the license and permit.

Shares of TMC the metals company Inc. (TMC) gained in Friday’s opening trade after the firm’s U.S. subsidiary received a compliance ruling from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

TMC stated that NOAA has determined that an application submitted by its U.S. subsidiary, The Metals Company USA, is in full compliance with the requirements of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA).

TMC shares gained over 10% in pre-market trade before paring some of the gains to hover 3% higher in the opening session. TMC was the top trending ticker on Stocktwits at the time of writing.

What Does This Ruling Mean?

The NOAA ruling means that TMC USA’s consolidated exploration and commercial recovery application now moves to the certification stage. Once certified, TMC stated that a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project will be published for public comment.

When the public comment period ends, the company’s EIS will be finalized, and NOAA will determine whether to issue the license and permit.

TMC expects the entire process to conclude before the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2027.

This comes after TMC USA submitted a consolidated application for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for polymetallic nodules in international waters of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean.

The application covers a 65,000-square-kilometer exploration and recovery area, up from the 25,000 sq km that TMC USA initially applied for.

The company stated that its two technical and economic assessments indicate a combined project value of $23.6 billion.

What Does This Mean For US’s Critical Metals Push?

TMC’s project could change how and where the U.S. gets the metals it needs for batteries, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

According to a 2025 report by the United States Geological Survey, the U.S. relies heavily on imports from China and other foreign sources. China alone accounts for more than 50% of U.S. demand for 21 nonfuel mineral commodities, while Canada, Germany, and Brazil supply between 11 and 21 such commodities.

TMC stated that it is developing the world’s largest estimated source of critical metals that the U.S. needs for its energy, defense, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

How Did Retail Traders React?

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around TMC the metals company trended in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing.

One bullish user on the platform stated that TMC is very undervalued.

Another user thinks that a license is just around the corner.

TMC stock is down 13% year-to-date, but up 73% over the past 12 months. The Vanguard Materials Index Fund ETF (VAW) is up 26% over the past 12 months, while the S&P International Small Cap ETF (GWX) is up 36%.

The Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF (ONEQ) is up 42% during this period, while the Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF (FMAT) is up 26%.

Also See: Pentagon CTO Says Anthropic Remains Blacklisted, Calls Mythos A Separate ‘National Security Moment’

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.