TMC and Allseas finish pilot trial: over 3,000 tonnes of nodules lifted from 4.3 km deep

The Metals Company/TMC USA nodule recovery (Clarion-Clipperton Zone)

TMC's subsidiary NORI and Allseas completed an integrated nodule collection test in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The pilot collector gathered about 4,500 tonnes, of which more than 3,000 tonnes went up a 4.3 km riser to the ship Hidden Gem. More than 50 sensors on the seabed and in the water column tracked sediment plumes and noise.

• Sustained rate of 86.4 tonnes per hour; collector drove about 80 km of seafloor.
• About 1,500 tonnes deliberately left on the seabed for study.
• Monitoring data was meant to support an application to the UN seabed authority for a commercial contract.