Rutger Bosland, Pioneering Engineer and Technical Lead on Development of TMC’s Nodule Collection System, Joins Company to Drive Commercial Readiness

Rhea-AI Summary

TMC the metals company (Nasdaq: TMC) has appointed Rutger Bosland as Chief Innovation and Offshore Technology Officer (CIOTO) to lead their commercial deep-sea mining operations. Bosland, previously Deep-Sea Mining Manager at Allseas, brings nearly two decades of experience in offshore engineering and led the development of TMC's nodule collection system.

As CIOTO, Bosland will focus on optimizing the commercial-scale nodule collection system while ensuring minimal environmental impact. His previous achievements include leading an 80+ engineer team in developing the Hidden Gem - the world's first subsea mining vessel classed by the American Bureau of Shipping.

TMC's NORI and TOML projects are currently ranked as the planet's largest undeveloped nickel projects. In 2022, the company successfully collected over 3,000 tons of nodules from the seafloor. TMC has recently initiated the process with NOAA to apply for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980.

Positive

• Successful collection of 3,000 tons of nodules in 2022 proves technology viability
• NORI and TOML projects ranked as largest undeveloped nickel projects globally
• Higher nickel equivalent grade compared to major land-based projects
• Strategic hire of experienced technical lead for commercial scaling

Negative

• Still pending regulatory approvals for commercial operations
• Environmental concerns regarding deep-sea mining impact

Insights

Mining Industry Expert

TMC's appointment of Rutger Bosland as Chief Innovation and Offshore Technology Officer represents a strategic acceleration toward commercial deep-sea mining operations. This isn't merely a management change – it's the acquisition of crucial intellectual capital directly relevant to TMC's core business model.

Bosland brings exceptional value as the architect who led the 80+ engineering team that developed TMC's existing nodule collection system while at Allseas. By bringing this expertise in-house, TMC significantly reduces technical execution risk for scaling operations. His experience converting the decommissioned drillship into the Hidden Gem (the first subsea mining vessel with American Bureau of Shipping classification) and leading the successful 3,000-ton nodule collection demonstration in 2022 gives him unparalleled insight into the practical challenges of commercialization.

This hire coincides strategically with TMC's recently initiated permitting process with NOAA under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The company is clearly executing a two-track strategy: advancing technical readiness while pursuing regulatory approvals – both critical prerequisites for commercialization.

TMC's NORI and TOML projects, ranked as the two largest undeveloped nickel projects globally, contain critical battery metals essential for energy transition. Bosland's mission to optimize commercial-scale collection systems while minimizing environmental impact addresses both the economic opportunity and regulatory requirements for accessing this resource.

His prior achievements with complex offshore engineering – including the Pioneering Spirit vessel – demonstrate capability with precisely the type of large-scale marine operations TMC will need to develop its resource efficiently.

• Rutger Bosland, the engineer and technical lead who oversaw the design, build and successful test deployment of Allseas’ integrated nodule collection system, joins TMC to lead offshore innovation and scale its technologies for commercial production
• As Chief Innovation and Offshore Technology Officer (CIOTO), Rutger will focus on the Company’s efforts to optimize the performance of our commercial scale nodule collection system to meet our production ramp-up strategy to unlock the potential of our nodule resource while ensuring it is developed with the lightest possible touch on the benthic, midwater, and surface marine environments
• Bosland brings deep experience in complex project management across deep-sea mining, heavy-lift engineering, and naval architecture, having spent nearly two decades delivering groundbreaking offshore engineering solutions with TMC’s partner Allseas—including spearheading the technical and operational development of Pioneering Spirit, the world’s largest construction vessel
  

NEW YORK, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), an explorer of the world’s largest undeveloped resource of critical metals for building infrastructure, power generation, transmission, and batteries, today announced that Rutger Bosland has joined the Company as Chief Innovation and Offshore Technology Officer (CIOTO) as it looks to scale its nodule collection technologies to maximize the potential of this vast resource ahead of the world’s first planned commercial production of deep-sea polymetallic nodules.

With almost two decades at Allseas solving complex offshore engineering challenges, Rutger brings world-class expertise in deep-sea mining, naval architecture, and offshore operations to TMC. As Deep-Sea Mining Manager at Allseas, he led a team of 80+ engineers in developing TMC’s nodule collection system, including the conversion of a decommissioned deep-water drillship into the Hidden Gem—the world’s first subsea mining vessel classed by the American Bureau of Shipping. He also led Allseas’ program to scale up nodule collection technology in preparation for TMC’s commercial operations, bringing unmatched insight into the precision engineering needed to unlock the potential of the Company’s resource. Before focusing on deep-sea mining, Rutger oversaw the technical and operational development for the first platform lifts of Allseas’ single-lift oil platform decommissioning system, as deployed aboard the world’s largest construction vessel, Pioneering Spirit.

Gerard Barron, CEO & Chairman of TMC, said: “Rutger has played a central role in some of the biggest engineering milestones on our journey. His expertise, drive, and instinct for solving complex offshore challenges make him the right person to help us scale into commercial production—responsibly and efficiently. I’m excited to welcome him to the team and confident he’ll ensure continued innovation and collaboration with Allseas—the engineering powerhouse behind some of the most ambitious offshore feats in history, including the development of our deep-sea nodule collection system.”

The Company’s NORI and TOML projects are ranked by Mining.com as the two largest undeveloped nickel projects on the planet, with a higher nickel equivalent grade than any other major undeveloped nickel project on land. In 2022, together with Allseas, TMC’s NORI subsidiary successfully collected over 3,000 tons of nodules from the seafloor — proving the tech works and that polymetallic nodules can be collected efficiently and responsibly.

Last month, TMC announced that it had formally initiated a process with NOAA under the U.S. Department of Commerce to apply for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under existing U.S. legislation, the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (DSHMRA).

Read the CEO’s statement on the decision to pursue U.S. permitting here.

About The Metals Company
The Metals Company is an explorer of lower-impact critical metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for building infrastructure, power generation, transmission, and batteries with net positive impacts compared to conventional production routes and (2) trace, recover and recycle the metals we supply to help create a metal commons that can be used in perpetuity. The Company through its subsidiaries holds exploration and commercial rights to two polymetallic nodule contract areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean regulated by the International Seabed Authority and sponsored by the governments of the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga. More information is available at www.metals.co.

Contacts
Media | media@metals.co
Investors | investors@metals.co

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements and information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “aims,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plans to scale its offshore technologies for commercial production of polymetallic nodules; the role and impact of new leadership in advancing the Company’s technical and operational readiness; and the Company’s broader strategic, financial, and operational goals. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, among other things: the Company’s strategies and future financial performance; the outcome of discussions and consultations with NOAA or other U.S. government officials; the Company’s ability to obtain required licenses and permits under DSHMRA or any other applicable U.S. laws or regulations; regulatory uncertainties and the impact of government regulation or political developments on the Company’s activities; the potential for legal or jurisdictional challenges to the Company’s rights or proposed operations in international waters; environmental risks and liabilities; the Company’s ability to develop sufficient data to support permit applications and satisfy environmental requirements; the Company’s ability to develop commercial operations, including onshore processing capabilities; risks associated with the Company’s limited operating history and need for additional financing; and other risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks are described in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 27, 2025. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether due to new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/54620104-910d-4198-9047-7426d666ea5c

FAQ

What experience does Rutger Bosland bring to TMC's deep-sea mining operations?

Bosland brings nearly 20 years of experience from Allseas, where he led an 80+ engineer team in developing TMC's nodule collection system and the Hidden Gem vessel conversion project.

How many tons of nodules did TMC collect in their 2022 seafloor test?

TMC's NORI subsidiary successfully collected over 3,000 tons of nodules from the seafloor in 2022.

What are TMC's current major nickel projects?

TMC's NORI and TOML projects are ranked as the two largest undeveloped nickel projects globally, with higher nickel equivalent grades than other major land-based projects.

What regulatory steps is TMC taking for commercial deep-sea mining?

TMC has initiated the process with NOAA to apply for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980.