Ten-day Armada 8605 campaign adds high-resolution photographic, sonar, and environmental data to Moana Minerals’ EL3 environmental baseline program
- Three HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles (“AUVs”) – deployed from Ocean Infinity’s Armada 8605 – mapped and photographed the seafloor at a depth of more than 5,000 meters.
- Survey covered approximately 1,000 km² within Exploration License 3 (“EL3”), generating more than 600,000 seafloor photographs plus synthetic aperture sonar imagery and environmental sensor data in the Cook Islands exclusive economic zone.
- The campaign complements the broader MV Anuanua Moana baseline program with higher-resolution coverage of a smaller area.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis will be utilized to improve environmental and resource assessments, while supporting data sharing in the Cook Islands.
TAMPA, Fla. & RAROTONGA, Cook Islands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Ocean Minerals Corporation (“AOMC”), which is building a responsible supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements through its previously announced merger with Odyssey Marine Exploration (NASDAQ: OMEX), today highlighted Moana Minerals Ltd.’s (“Moana Minerals” or “MML”) completion of a high-definition autonomous underwater vehicle seafloor survey within its Exploration License 3 (“EL3”) area in the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (“EEZ”), producing one of the most detailed photographic datasets collected to date within EL3.
The lean-crewed Armada 8605, part of Ocean Infinity’s Armada fleet of vessels designed to deploy advanced underwater robotic systems for offshore data collection, deployed three HUGIN AUVs equipped with cameras, side-scan sonar, and environmental sensors. Over approximately ten days, the AUVs generated more than 600,000 seafloor photographs and detailed mapping datasets across targeted areas of EL3. The campaign continued Moana Minerals’ ongoing survey and research activities.
“This campaign reflects exactly how Moana Minerals believes seabed minerals work should be advanced: through real science that can inform decision-making,” said Hans Smit, Chief Executive Officer of Moana Minerals. “By engaging Armada 8605 while it was already operating in the region, we added a highly valuable high-definition dataset to our environmental baseline program without requiring a separate vessel mobilization. The result is a sharper, more detailed picture of the EL3 seafloor that will inform regulators, stakeholders, and the people of the Cook Islands as future decisions are considered.”
While the MV Anuanua Moana program collects broad physical, chemical, biological and geological baseline data across multiple survey areas and seasons, the Armada 8605 survey concentrated on a smaller target area at higher resolution, adding a new layer of detail to Moana Minerals’ environmental and resource work in the Cook Islands.
The photographic, sonar and environmental sensor data will enhance understanding of seafloor conditions, habitat characteristics, polymetallic nodule distribution and abundance, and environmental variability within EL3, supporting Moana Minerals’ ongoing environmental baseline program, future Environmental and Social Impact Assessment work, resource definition activities and engagement with Cook Islands regulators and stakeholders.
Data processing and quality control are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. Moana Minerals plans to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to the imagery to identify, count and characterize nodules and seafloor life, laying the groundwork for one of the first comprehensive AI-based assessments of the Cook Islands deep seafloor environment. Consistent with its license and data-transparency commitments in the Cook Islands, the resulting data, including raw imagery and AI-derived analysis, will be shared with the Cook Islands and, over time, made accessible to all researchers in support of AOMC’s commitment to data sharing and scientific research.
“Every responsible decision starts with understanding the data and science,” said Tom Albanese, Chairman of AOMC. “This survey gives Moana Minerals and the Cook Islands another important dataset to evaluate the seafloor environment with greater precision. It is part of a broader commitment to measure first, understand better and support future decisions with evidence.”
The survey builds on the recently completed MV Anuanua Moana Expedition 7 campaign, which advanced environmental baseline research in EL3, and was conducted pursuant to Moana Minerals’ approved exploration planning process and applicable Cook Islands requirements.
About American Ocean Minerals Corporation
American Ocean Minerals Corporation is establishing a responsible global supply chain for critical minerals and rare earth elements sourced from polymetallic nodules. AOMC is being built as a platform company focused on responsible deep-sea exploration, environmental science, harvesting technology, logistics, processing, and commercialization across multiple regulatory pathways, including investments in companies with exploration licenses in the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone and international waters regulated under DSHMRA. Upon completion of its proposed merger with Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., the combined company is expected to operate as American Ocean Minerals Corporation and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “AOMC,” subject to stockholder approvals, regulatory approvals, Nasdaq approval, and other customary closing conditions. To learn more, please visit www.aomusa.com.
About Ocean Minerals, LLC (OML)
Ocean Minerals, LLC, through its wholly owned subsidiary Moana Minerals Ltd, is a deepwater critical minerals exploration and development company focused on advancing polymetallic nodule resource exploration within the exclusive economic zone of the Cook Islands. In August 2025, an S-K 1300 Initial Assessment reported an indicated mineral resource of 417 million tonnes with an abundance of 26.7 kg/m² as well as an inferred mineral resource of 102 million tonnes with an abundance of 26 kg/m². Through its subsidiary, Moana Minerals Ltd., OML holds an exploration license granted by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority. Upon completion of the merger of AOMC and Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (“Odyssey”) and related transactions (the “Transaction”), AOMC is expected to hold 100% of the membership interests of OML. Learn more at www.moanaminerals.com.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey is an ocean exploration and marine resource development leader with more than 30 years of experience operating in complex offshore environments worldwide. Odyssey is building a diversified portfolio of projects that focus on seafloor mineral resources that can contribute practical solutions to global challenges, including food security, energy transition, and supply-chain resilience.
Offering comprehensive research, marine operations, and regulatory compliance support, Odyssey works with governments and seafloor rights holders worldwide. Odyssey develops its projects in collaboration with a global network of partners, academics, and industry professionals who share its commitment to environmentally sound solutions for obtaining minerals that address present and future global challenges. Learn more at www.odysseymarine.com.
