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TMC the metals Co Inc. (TMC)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 was a regulatory and financing inflection: TMC USA submitted the world’s first application for a commercial recovery permit (plus two exploration licenses) under the U.S. DSHMRA, and TMC closed a $37M registered direct offering to extend liquidity while pursuing the U.S. permitting path .
- Reported net loss was $20.6M ($0.06/share), improving YoY from $25.2M ($0.08/share); cash used in operations was $9.3M as the company trimmed environmental and process development spend versus Campaign 8 costs last year .
- Liquidity at March 31 stood at ~$43.8M (cash $2.3M) and rose to ~$81M pro forma after the $37M offering, supporting working capital through anticipated NOAA review milestones; ERAS/Barron facility increased to $44M and Allseas’ $25M affiliate facility was terminated with no amounts outstanding .
- Management expects NOAA “substantial compliance” (exploration) and “completeness” (commercial recovery) determinations this quarter and the PFS next quarter (Q3 2025), laying groundwork for a clearer permitting timeline and valuation read-through beyond NORI‑D .
- Key catalysts: formal NOAA review milestones, completion of the PFS, and U.S. policy follow-through after the April 24 executive order directing expedited seabed permitting and potential offtake/finance tools .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Executed strategic pivot to U.S. permitting: TMC USA filed the first-ever commercial recovery application under DSHMRA ahead of schedule; management sees clearer, enforceable regulatory path versus ISA uncertainty .
- Strengthened balance sheet: $37M registered direct offering at $3.00/share with $4.50 warrants; liquidity increased pro forma to ~$81M, viewed as sufficient to get past expected review of the commercial recovery permit .
- Onshore processing progress: PAMCO smelted 450t calcine into 35t NiCuCo alloy and 320t Mn silicate, demonstrating scale and informing definitive agreements; site visit hosted for analysts and industry participants .
What Went Wrong
- Still pre-revenue and loss-making: Q1 net loss of $20.6M and operating loss of $18.0M; G&A rose to $8.5M on higher share-based comp even as exploration/evaluation spend fell YoY .
- ISA pathway uncertainty persists: Prior plan to submit NORI exploitation application in June shifted; management now prioritizes NOAA and confirmed NORI will not submit to ISA in June 2025 .
- Accounts payable remain elevated: AP and accrued liabilities of $45.2M at March 31; short-term debt ~$10.0M, reinforcing the need for disciplined cash management and partner settlement strategies .
Financial Results
Quarterly Financials Snapshot
Notes:
- Pro forma liquidity post $37M offering in May 2025: ~$81MM .
- Revenue and margins not reported (development-stage; pre-commercial) in these periods .
Balance Sheet & Cash KPIs
Actual vs Consensus (S&P Global)
Values retrieved from S&P Global; consensus appears unavailable for TMC at this time.*
Segment breakdown
- Not applicable: TMC is pre-revenue with no reported operating segments in these disclosures .
Additional Q1 metrics and financing details
- ERAS/Barron facility increased to $44M (availability $41.5M at quarter-end); Allseas $25M affiliate facility terminated; $7.5M Allseas working capital loan maturity extended to September 2025 .
- Registered Direct Offering: 12.3M shares at $3.00/share; Class C warrants at $4.50 with mandatory exercise if stock >$7.00 for 20 consecutive days .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We believe that the one thing previously holding back our stock price was the lack of a clear regulatory pathway. And we believe we now have it… The equity round just announced is more than sufficient to get us past the expected review process on a commercial recovery permit.” — CEO Gerard Barron .
- “Our PFS will be completed next quarter for the commercial recovery area… we intend to provide more clarity on the potential valuation across our total estimated resource, well beyond NORI‑D.” — CEO Gerard Barron .
- “PAMCO successfully smelted 450 tonnes of calcine into 35 tonnes of NiCuCo alloy and 320 tonnes of Mn silicate products… demonstrating the process at scale.” — Press Release .
- “TMC USA submitted the first-ever application for a commercial recovery permit and applications for two exploration licenses under DSHMRA.” — Press Release .
- “Total liquidity of approximately $43.8 million at March 31, 2025… Net loss of $20.6 million and net loss per share of $0.06 for the quarter.” — Press Release .
Q&A Highlights
- NOAA area selection: Management confirmed complementary ground not claimed by any sovereign, avoiding areas of particular environmental interest; specifics to follow post initial NOAA review for commercial sensitivity .
- Permitting timelines: Expect initial 30/60‑day determinations soon; management is in regular contact with NOAA and sees “a lot of excitement inside that department” .
- Downstream/refining: Evaluating U.S. processing options with “patriot capital providers”; balancing capital‑light near‑term approach with longer‑term U.S. refining goals .
- U.S. government tools: Actively engaging on offtake/rights of first refusal and financing via DFC/Ex‑Im; pushing to move from theory to signed commitments .
- ISA plan: NORI no longer planning to submit an ISA application in June; TMC will maintain ISA exploration contracts in compliance while pursuing U.S. permits .
- Vessel strategy: Accelerate timelines—get Hidden Gem operating sooner at economic tonnage rather than waiting for higher throughput upgrades .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for EPS, revenue, and EBITDA appears unavailable for Q1 2025; no comparable street figures to benchmark reported results. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Where estimates may need to adjust: As permitting milestones and PFS details firm up, coverage may expand and models may incorporate timelines, initial throughput/tonnage, financing structure, and royalty assumptions associated with the U.S. path .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Regulatory clarity is improving: U.S. applications filed under DSHMRA with NOAA determinations expected this quarter, representing a credible, enforceable path to commercial recovery .
- Liquidity extended: $37M offering lifts pro forma liquidity to ~$81M, which management says is sufficient to carry the company through expected permit review .
- Near-term deliverables: PFS slated for Q3 2025 with valuation read‑through beyond NORI‑D; watch for step‑by‑step permitting timeline disclosures .
- Technical progress de‑risks onshore: PAMCO campaign produced NiCuCo alloy and Mn silicate at scale, supporting definitive processing agreements .
- Strategy updated: Shift from ISA to U.S. permitting; NORI not submitting in June, but ISA exploration contracts maintained in compliance .
- Financing/partners: ERAS/Barron facility increased to $44M; Allseas affiliate facility terminated; maturity of $7.5M Allseas WC loan extended, indicating supportive capital partners .
- Policy tailwinds: April 24 executive order directs expedited permitting and potential offtake/finance support, a potential catalyst for the permitting schedule and downstream investment .