Canadian seabed explorer Deep Sea Minerals Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with a US-based marine technology company called Impossible Metals, which is developing autonomous underwater robotic systems for the selective collection of polymetallic nodules.

The companies will collaborate on the potential deployment and evaluation of Impossible Metals' technology within Deep Sea Minerals' prospective exploration licence areas, if and as such licences are awarded.

The contemplated areas of cooperation include technology deployment, test mining, environmental monitoring, pilot production planning, commercial-scale harvesting evaluation and potential downstream supply opportunities.

Impossible Metals’ Eureka Collection System is designed to use buoyance control, computer vision and robotic arms to selectively collect polymetallic nodules from the seafloor. The technology is intended to provide a lower-disturbance alternative to other seafloor collection methods by targeting individual nodules, preserving habitat, avoiding sea life, and reducing sediment disturbance.

“Deep Sea Minerals is pursuing a responsible, staged and partnership-driven approach to offshore critical minerals development.

"Impossible Metals has developed a differentiated technology platform that aligns with our objective of evaluating lower-impact approaches to polymetallic nodule exploration and potential future collection. This agreement gives us a practical framework to assess how autonomous robotic collection technology could support our long-term development plans as we continue to advance through the applicable regulatory processes," says Deep Sea Minerals CEO James Deckelman.

Impossible Metals executive chairperson Steve Curnutte adds that the collaboration reflects a larger shift underway in how the world thinks about critical resources. As global demand accelerates for the minerals that power defence systems, advanced manufacturing, and energy infrastructure, the question is no longer whether new supply is needed, but how it can be accessed responsibly, he says.  

“Impossible Metals was built on the belief that breakthroughs in robotics, autonomy, and machine intelligence can fundamentally improve that equation. Together with Deep Sea Minerals, we are advancing a future where selective collection enables both economic progress and responsible stewardship of the deep ocean.”