American Ocean Minerals Advances Cook Islands Seafloor Research with More Than 600,000 High-Resolution Images
American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) has highlighted the completion of a high-definition autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) survey conducted by its subsidiary Moana Minerals Ltd. within Exploration License 3 (EL3) in the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The survey generated more than 600,000 photographs of the seafloor and produced detailed mapping and environmental datasets, creating one of the most extensive high-resolution photographic records collected to date within the EL3 area.
The campaign represents another step in Moana Minerals’ ongoing environmental research and exploration program. The company is focused on improving its understanding of the deep-sea environment, including seafloor conditions, habitat characteristics and the distribution of polymetallic nodules.
The survey was conducted using Armada 8605, a lean-crewed vessel operated as part of Ocean Infinity’s Armada fleet. The vessels in the Armada fleet are designed to deploy advanced robotic systems for offshore data collection and underwater exploration.
During the campaign, Armada 8605 deployed three HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles. The AUVs were equipped with high-resolution cameras, side-scan sonar systems and environmental sensors.
Over approximately ten days, the vehicles surveyed selected areas within EL3, collecting hundreds of thousands of images and detailed mapping data. The operation was designed to provide a higher-resolution view of the seafloor than broader regional surveys.
The data collected will form part of Moana Minerals’ environmental baseline program. Environmental baseline studies are important for developing a detailed understanding of existing conditions before any future decisions are made regarding resource development.
Hans Smit, Chief Executive Officer of Moana Minerals, said the survey reflects the company’s approach of using scientific research and data to inform decision-making related to seabed minerals.
According to the company, the survey was conducted while Armada 8605 was already operating in the region. This allowed Moana Minerals to obtain additional high-definition data without requiring a separate vessel mobilization.
The approach enabled the company to increase the amount of information collected while making use of existing offshore operations. The resulting dataset is expected to provide a more detailed understanding of selected areas of the EL3 seafloor.
The survey complements the broader research conducted through the MV Anuanua Moana program. That program is designed to collect physical, chemical, biological and geological baseline information across multiple survey areas and seasons.
While the MV Anuanua Moana research provides broader coverage, the Armada 8605 campaign focused on a smaller target area at much higher resolution. Together, the two programs are expected to provide complementary information about the Cook Islands deep-sea environment.
The American newly collected photographic, sonar and environmental sensor data will be used to improve understanding of several key characteristics within EL3.
These include the condition of the seafloor, habitat features, the distribution and abundance of polymetallic nodules and environmental variability across the surveyed areas.
Polymetallic nodules are mineral-rich formations that occur on the deep-ocean seafloor. They can contain metals such as nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese, which are used in various industrial and energy-related applications.
Understanding the location, abundance and characteristics of nodules is an important part of resource exploration. At the same time, environmental data is essential for assessing the broader ecological conditions associated with deep-sea areas.
Moana Minerals plans to use the information collected during the survey to support its ongoing environmental baseline work, future Environmental and Social Impact Assessment activities and resource definition efforts.
The American data is also expected to support engagement with Cook Islands regulators and stakeholders. The company has emphasized the importance of sharing scientific information to help inform future discussions and decisions.
Data American processing and quality control are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. Once the data has been processed, Moana Minerals plans to apply artificial intelligence tools to the imagery.
The AI-based analysis is expected to help identify, count and characterize polymetallic nodules and seafloor organisms. The company believes the effort could help establish one of the first comprehensive AI-supported assessments of the Cook Islands’ deep-seafloor environment.
The American use of AI could allow researchers to process and analyze very large volumes of underwater imagery more efficiently. More than 600,000 photographs represent a significant quantity of visual data, and automated analysis tools may help identify patterns and features across the surveyed areas.
AI tools can potentially assist with the classification of seafloor habitats, identification of biological activity and assessment of nodule distribution. However, the resulting analysis will form part of a broader scientific and environmental assessment process.
Moana Minerals has stated that, consistent with its license and data-transparency commitments in the Cook Islands, the resulting data will be shared with the Cook Islands. Over time, the company also intends to make the information accessible to researchers.
The American data-sharing approach is intended to support independent scientific research and improve access to information regarding the deep-sea environment.
Tom Albanese, Chairman of American Ocean Minerals Corporation, said that responsible decision-making begins with a strong understanding of the available science and data.
The American company views the AUV survey as an additional dataset that can help Moana Minerals and the Cook Islands evaluate the seafloor environment with greater precision.
The survey follows the recently completed MV Anuanua Moana Expedition 7 campaign, which advanced environmental baseline research in EL3. The latest AUV operation was conducted in accordance with Moana Minerals’ approved exploration planning process and applicable Cook Islands requirements.
American Ocean Minerals Corporation is developing a platform focused on the potential supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements from polymetallic nodules.
The American company is being built through a proposed merger with Odyssey Marine Exploration. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, the combined company is expected to operate as American Ocean Minerals Corporation and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AOMC, subject to required stockholder, regulatory and Nasdaq approvals and other customary closing conditions.
AOMC’s strategy is focused on multiple aspects of the deep-sea minerals sector, including exploration, environmental science, harvesting technology, logistics, processing and commercialization.
The American company is pursuing opportunities through investments in businesses with exploration licenses in the Cook Islands EEZ and international waters regulated under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.
Ocean Minerals LLC, through its wholly owned subsidiary Moana Minerals Ltd., is focused on the exploration and development of polymetallic nodule resources within the Cook Islands EEZ.
In August 2025, an S-K 1300 Initial Assessment reported an indicated mineral resource of 417 million tonnes with an abundance of 26.7 kilograms per square meter. The assessment also reported an inferred mineral resource of 102 million tonnes with an abundance of 26 kilograms per square meter.
Moana Minerals holds an exploration license granted by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority. Following completion of the proposed merger between AOMC and Odyssey and related transactions, AOMC is expected to own 100% of the membership interests of Ocean Minerals LLC.
Odyssey Marine Exploration brings more than three decades of experience in ocean exploration and marine resource development. The company operates in complex offshore environments and is developing a portfolio of projects focused on seafloor mineral resources.
Its work includes marine research, offshore operations, regulatory compliance and collaboration with governments, academic institutions and industry partners.
The American American completion of the AUV survey represents an important addition to the scientific knowledge being developed within EL3. By combining high-resolution imagery with sonar, environmental sensors and broader baseline research, Moana Minerals is building a more detailed picture of the Cook Islands deep-sea environment.
The company’s next steps will include data processing, quality control and AI-assisted analysis. The resulting information is expected to support future environmental assessments, resource definition activities and stakeholder engagement.
As interest in critical minerals continues to grow, scientific data will remain an important part of discussions surrounding potential deep-sea resource development. The survey conducted by Moana Minerals provides a significant new dataset that can help researchers and stakeholders better understand the seafloor conditions within the Cook Islands exploration area.
The company has also emphasized that future exploration, development and commercialization activities remain subject to regulatory requirements, environmental assessments and other necessary approvals.
The completion of the survey does not itself represent approval for commercial recovery or development activities. Any future activities would depend on applicable regulatory processes, environmental reviews and other required authorizations.
For American Ocean Minerals and Moana Minerals, the latest campaign represents another milestone in their efforts to expand scientific knowledge and evaluate potential seabed mineral resources through data-driven research.
With more than 600,000 seafloor images now available for analysis, the survey provides a substantial foundation for further research. The combination of high-resolution imagery, advanced robotics, AI-based analysis and data-sharing initiatives could help improve understanding of the Cook Islands’ deep-sea environment and inform future decisions regarding critical mineral resources.
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