Clarion-Clipperton Zone

American Ocean Minerals Corporation and Odyssey Marine Exploration announced an all-stock merger valued at approximately $1 billion, creating one of the largest deep-sea mining companies as the US accelerates efforts to secure seabed critical minerals.

The ISA adjourned without completing deep-sea mining rules as a Nature study found 90 percent of species in the target zone remain unknown and the US fast-tracks its own permits.