The Metals Company (TMC) has completed its fifth undersea mission in the last year to learn more about deepsea life in preparation of deepsea mining at the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ).

The research mission lasted six weeks, and involved scientists from a variety of marine science institutions, including the UK National Oceanography Centre, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Marine Technology, and the Natural History Museum in London.

Scientists conducted observations over 30 square kilometres of seafloor, and have taken more than 35,000 high-resolution images and video data to identify megafauna in the zone. Scientists also took 130 video transects at various depths, using the remote operating vehicle's suction sampler to collect specimens.

Technologies used in this edition focused on sampling of deep-sea macro and megafauna, and focused on species of particular scientific interest.

The research team collected just under 1,200 tissues and specimen samples.

These research trips "are helping build a high-resolution picture of the potential impacts of collecting nodules," TMC chief executive Gerard Barron said. TMC engineers and project teams will use the data to ensure low-impact mining of polymetallic nodules, he said.

TMC believes metals in the polymetallic nodules, which include nickel and cobalt, will be required to power the clean energy transition.