This week: an operational update on the MV Anuanua Moana, our announced merger with Odyssey (NASDAQ: OMEX), and Chairman Tom Albanese on Fox Business, plus the latest deep-sea critical minerals headlines.
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American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) announced the next phase of an offshore campaign to advance critical deep-sea environmental and exploration programs. The 196-foot (~60-meter) Cook Islands-flagged vessel is a dedicated science platform for deep-sea minerals and supports the scientific baselining and resource definition needed for future Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), and Work Plans across AOMC’s >500,000 km² target portfolio.
AOM Chairman Tom Albanese appeared on Fox Business’ Mornings With Maria to discuss rebuilding secure, U.S.-controlled critical minerals supply chains and to share context around AOM’s announced merger with Odyssey (OMEX).
Albanese highlighted the urgency of diversifying metal supply chains, pointed to U.S. policy initiatives like Project Vault, and emphasized how polymetallic nodules can provide a diversified basket of metals used across energy systems, manufacturing, and defense applications.
In one line: AOM is building a platform to responsibly deliver critical minerals and rare earths for U.S. energy, defense, industry, and mineral independence.
AOMC and Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX) announced a definitive merger agreement to combine their businesses and create a leading U.S.-controlled platform focused on deep-sea exploration, harvesting, and processing of polymetallic nodules.
The Transaction values the combined company at a pro forma equity value of approximately $1 billion and includes in excess of $230 million of total equity capital raised and secured.
NOAA and partners are mapping and characterizing more than 30,000 square nautical miles of federal waters off American Samoa using multibeam sonar, AUV mapping, imagery, and box cores. Bathymetric coverage and sample images are being posted in near real time while the project is underway.
USA Rare Earth announced a cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Brazil’s Serra Verde, adding the Pela Ema mine and processing plant and strengthening a non‑China supply chain for heavy rare earths used in permanent magnets (including dysprosium and terbium).
A Reuters investigation describes Chinese research vessels mapping the seabed in strategically important regions. The ocean data can support both mineral prospecting and undersea military operations—underscoring growing geopolitical competition over seafloor access and information.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements. Generally, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “forecast,” “likely,” “believe,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “may” and similar expressions or their negative, may, but are not necessary to, identify forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the timing, consummation and anticipated benefits of the Transaction, expectations around the deployment and use of the Anuanua Moana and other vessels, and expectations about AOMC’s ownership of OML or CIC after the Transaction. The experience and results of the Transaction or AOMC’s operations or results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but are not limited to, the following factors: the risk that the conditions to the closing of the Transaction are not satisfied, including the risk that required approvals of the transaction are not obtained; litigation relating to the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the Transaction; risks that the proposed Transaction disrupts the current plans or operations of Odyssey or AOMC; the ability to retain and hire key personnel; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Transaction; potential adverse reactions or changes to relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the ability to achieve the synergies expected from the transaction; ability to commercially extract mineral deposits after the Transaction; risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects); uncertainty about the ability to obtain required capital to execute business plans; changes in the market prices of minerals; uncertainty around whether and when regulatory and other approvals for the Transaction will be received or the listing or exploration licensing will be obtained; and geopolitical, regulatory and macroeconomic risks in the areas in which Odyssey and AOMC operate. Other factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in Odyssey’s filings with the SEC, which include its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed in connection with the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof and no person is under any obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
American Ocean Minerals
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