- Korea Zinc Co., Ltd., (Korea Zinc) will make a strategic equity investment in TMC of $85.2 million in exchange for 19.6 million common shares at the last market closing price of $4.34 per share
- Investment includes a three-year warrant to purchase 6.9 million common shares (0.35 warrant shares for every 1 initial common share) with an exercise price of $7.00 per share, and a participation right to subscribe for future offerings of TMC equity for Korea Zinc to maintain its ownership of common shares, subject to customary exceptions
- A world leader in non-ferrous metal refining and precursor Cathode Active Material (pCAM) technology, Korea Zinc is uniquely positioned to use TMC USA’s nodule-derived materials to produce refined metals, copper foil and pCAM in their existing facilities in South Korea and build new facilities in the United States
- Under an existing LOI with TMC USA, Korea Zinc’s R&D team has received a bulk sample of TMC-supplied nodule material and is currently validating processing and refining pathways and potential synergies through vertical integration
TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), a leading explorer of the world’s largest undeveloped resource of critical metals essential to energy, defense, manufacturing, and infrastructure, today announced that Korea Zinc, a world leader in non-ferrous metal refining and precursor Cathode Active Material (pCAM) technology, has agreed to make a strategic investment of approximately $85.2 million in the Company through the purchase of common shares and warrants in a private placement.
The investment was approved by TMC’s Board of Directors and is expected to close on June 26, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Korea Zinc will purchase 19.6 million common shares at the last market closing price of $4.34 per share and will receive a three-year warrant to purchase 6.9 million common shares (0.35 warrant shares for every 1 initial common share for no additional consideration) with an exercise price of $7.00 per share, subject to compulsory exercise provisions should TMC common shares trade above $10.00 for 20 consecutive trading days. Upon closing, Korea Zinc will become one of TMC’s largest strategic shareholders with ownership of approximately 5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares.
Korea Zinc is currently evaluating a bulk sample of nodule material supplied by The Metals Company USA, LLC (TMC USA) under an existing LOI, with its R&D team to validate intermediate processing and refining pathways and potential synergies through vertical integration. Korea Zinc has expressed interest in working with TMC USA to establish processing, refining and potentially pCAM manufacturing capacity in the United States.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Korea Zinc as a strategic investor and partner on our journey to redefine how the United States sources critical minerals for energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure,” said Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO of The Metals Company. “We believe the strategic fit between the two companies is exceptional: If we receive a commercial recovery permit, TMC USA will be in position to deliver a secure, abundant and low-impact supply of four critical metals under U.S. regulatory oversight. Korea Zinc is probably the only company outside of China that has the capability to take TMC USA’s materials and turn them into metal product formats required in the United States. Together, we have the potential to meet the United States’ demand for refined nickel, cobalt and manganese, and contribute copper while completely by-passing the Chinese supply chain.”
“This is more than capital—it’s alignment on values, on urgency, and on building a resilient supply chain for the United States. With TMC’s robust pro forma cash balance of nearly $120 million, we and Allseas can now turn our attention to preparing the Hidden Gem commercial production system in anticipation of the grant of a commercial recovery permit through the U.S. regulatory framework. We look forward to sharing more detail alongside the expected release of our PFS next quarter.”
The Chairman and CEO of Korea Zinc, Yun B. Choi, commented: “I am bullish on nickel and copper. Korea Zinc’s well-developed growth strategy, a.k.a. Troika Drive, is predicated on that very view. As such, we are excited to be an investor in TMC, who I believe will be one of the most competitive nickel and copper producers in the world.”
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