Deep Sea Minerals Corp. Welcomes Continued U.S. Efforts to Map Offshore Critical Mineral Resources

Vancouver, British Columbia, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Deep Sea Minerals Corp. (CSE: SEAS) (OTCQB: DSEAF) (FSE: X450) (“Deep Sea Minerals” or the “Company”), welcomes the continued expansion of U.S. government efforts to map and characterize offshore areas with potential critical mineral resources.

On September 24, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) commenced an additional mapping expedition aboard NOAA ship OkeanosExplorer focused on unexplored deepwater regions near American Samoa.1 The expedition follows NOAA’s recently completed American Samoa ROV and Mapping Exploration, which concluded on September 17, 2026, and is intended to fill remaining gaps in seafloor mapping before the vessel transits to Hawaii.2

The recent expeditions form part of broader U.S. government efforts to improve scientific understanding of marine critical mineral resources and deep ocean environments.3,4 NOAA’s 2026 work in the region has included multibeam seafloor mapping, remotely operated vehicle exploration, geological observations and environmental data collection, including the examination of areas containing polymetallic nodules.2

“While this recent mapping program by NOAA is focused on the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, we view it as part of a broader U.S. government effort to advance the scientific, regulatory and strategic framework for seabed critical minerals,” said James Deckelman, Chief Executive Officer of Deep Sea Minerals. “That broader effort is relevant to Deep Sea Minerals as we pursue our NOAA pathway in international waters and evaluate opportunities in Pacific jurisdictions, including the Cook Islands. Continued investment in seabed mapping, environmental data and resource characterization helps build the knowledge base needed to support responsible development of the sector.”

Polymetallic nodules can contain commercially important concentrations of minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, which are used across a range of industrial, energy, infrastructure and defense applications.4,5

The United States has increasingly emphasized the importance of expanding domestic and allied sources of critical minerals,4 while federal agencies continue to advance regulatory, scientific and mapping initiatives related to offshore mineral resources.3,4

Deep Sea Minerals Corp. is advancing its strategy focused on the exploration and potential development of polymetallic nodule resources. Through its U.S. subsidiary, American Deep Sea Minerals Corp., the Company has submitted an application to NOAA under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (“DSHMRA”) for an exploration license covering areas of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in international waters (the “NOAA Application”). While the Company believes that the NOAA Application will be determined to be in full compliance with applicable regulations and continue to progress through the regulatory review and approval process under the DSHMRA, there can be no assurance that NOAA will determine the NOAA Application to be in full compliance or that NOAA will ultimately issue an exploration license on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. For further information regarding the NOAA Application and the regulatory review and approval process under the DSHMRA, see the Company’s amended and restated annual information form for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, dated July 27, 2026 (the “A&R AIF”), a copy of which is available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCES

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2026 American Samoa Mapping + Transit (EX2607), NOAA Ocean Exploration: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2607/
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration (EX2606), NOAA Ocean Exploration: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2606/
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Mapping the Seafloor for Critical Mineral Resources, NOAA Ocean Service: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/deep-seabed-mineral-resources/mapping.html
• The White House, Executive Order 14285 – Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources, April 24, 2025: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/unleashing-americas-offshore-critical-minerals-and-resources/
• U.S. Geological Survey, Deep-Ocean Polymetallic Nodules and Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts in the Global Ocean: https://www.usgs.gov/publications/deep-ocean-polymetallic-nodules-and-cobalt-rich-ferromanganese-crusts-global-ocean-new

ABOUT DEEP SEA MINERALS CORP.

Deep Sea Minerals Corp. is a seabed mineral exploration and development company focused on evaluating opportunities to support the future supply of critical minerals through the acquisition, exploration, and development of deep-sea mineral assets.

The Company’s strategy is centered on identifying jurisdictions and geological settings with potential exposure to polymetallic nodule systems, which are recognized for containing combinations of metals that may be relevant to defense, industrial manufacturing, clean energy infrastructure, advanced electronics, and artificial intelligence-related supply chains. These seabed resources represent a largely undeveloped component of the global mineral supply base and are the subject of increasing policy, scientific, and regulatory attention worldwide.

As part of this process, the Company has commenced early-stage engagement with selected governments and regulatory bodies in the Pacific Ocean region to assess potential pathways for future exploration initiatives, subject to applicable international, national, and environmental frameworks.