The Metals Company (TMC), an explorer of the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, has welcomed the signing of legislation calling for financial support from the Defense Department’s Industrial Base Policy office to “assess the feasibility of improving domestic capabilities for refining polymetallic nodule-derived intermediates into high-purity nickel, cobalt sulfate, and copper.”

The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mandates a Defense Department feasibility study on refining polymetallic nodule-derived intermediates to high-purity nickel, copper, and cobalt products. The legislation, signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2024, was led by the House Armed Services Committee and calls for the completion of a feasibility study by the end of 2025 for a nodule-derived intermediate refinery, which would bring the US closer to addressing the most significant vulnerability in its domestic battery supply chains—nickel refining—as identified in Executive Order 14017.

A wide variety of lawmakers, including Trump’s nominee for UN Ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), and former military officials have urged the Administration to consider polymetallic nodules as a component of its national critical mineral strategy.

Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), commented: “Polymetallic nodules have the potential to decouple America’s critical mineral supply chains from our adversaries, ensuring a stable and secure flow of essential materials like nickel, cobalt, and copper. By embracing this domestic refining capability, we can fortify our national security and enhance domestic manufacturing resilience with responsibly sourced materials. I was proud to support the inclusion of the original nodule-intermediate feasibility study amendment in this year’s conferenced National Defense Authorization Act, and I’m pleased to see this critical piece of legislation signed into law.”

TMC CEO and Chairman Gerard Barron stated: “I am delighted to see this further tangible support for domestic nodule refining from the United States as Congress moves to secure a stable supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals. Given the strong support from Republicans in Congress and several key members of President-elect Trump’s administration, we expect that 2025 will see a major leap forward in US activity in this industry.”

The NDAA directs “the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, to report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, not later than December 31, 2025, with a study on the feasibility and advisability of improving domestic capabilities for refining polymetallic nodule-derived intermediates into high-purity nickel, cobalt, sulfate, and copper for defense applications.”

In March, TMC welcomed the introduction of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act by House Republicans calling for the US to “support international governance of seafloor resource exploration and responsible polymetallic nodule collection by allied partners” and to “provide financial, diplomatic, or other forms of support for seafloor nodule collection, processing, and refining.” Later in May, the Company welcomed the allocation of funding under the House version of the fiscal year 2025 NDAA to the Defense Department’s Industrial Base Policy Office to study the feasibility of developing domestic capacity to refine polymetallic nodule-derived intermediates to high-purity nickel, copper, and cobalt products.