American Ocean Minerals Announces Successful Completion of MV Anuanua Moana Expedition 7, Advancing Deep-Sea Environmental Baseline Research in the Cook Islands

American Ocean Minerals Announces Successful Completion of MV Anuanua Moana Expedition 7, Advancing Deep-Sea Environmental Baseline Research in the Cook Islands

• Expedition 7 completed 53 sampling sites and one of the most productive benthic baseline campaigns conducted in the deep-sea minerals sector

• Three-week campaign successfully deployed and recovered 60 box cores and 62 multicores, generating 4,059 physical samples for shore-based laboratory analysis

• Integrated sampling program supports sediment physico-chemistry, macrofaunal, meiofaunal, foraminiferal, and molecular eDNA studies required for baseline environmental impact assessment in Moana Minerals’ EL3 license area

• Campaign demonstrates the value of AOMC’s dedicated, Cook Islands-based research vessel platform for advancing environmental science, resource definition, and regulatory readiness

TAMPA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today, American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) announced the successful completion of Expedition 7, a research campaign designed to support the environmental baseline studies required for future deep-sea mineral exploration and development activities in the Cook Islands.

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Expedition 7 was conducted over approximately three weeks aboard the MV Anuanua Moana, a proprietary research vessel advancing critical deep-sea environmental and exploration programs across its operating areas. Over the course of the campaign, the team completed 53 sites, successfully deployed and recovered 60 box cores and 62 multicores, and collected 4,059 physical samples for detailed analysis that will help refine and strengthen the existing polymetallic nodule resource estimate within MML’s EL3 license area.

Transitioning deep-sea mineral assets from exploration to potential commercial harvesting requires multi-year environmental baselining, careful resource definition, and disciplined technical studies which are nearing completion. The data collected during Expedition 7 is expected to contribute directly to Moana Minerals’ ongoing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) planned for the first half of 2027 and Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on track for completion in the second half of this year across Moana Minerals Ltd.’s (MML) EL3 license area, as well as future engagement with Cook Islands regulators.

“AOMC is building a platform founded on disciplined execution, rigorous environmental standards, and dedicated infrastructure,” said Tom Albanese, Chairman of AOMC and former Rio Tinto CEO. “The successful completion of this campaign reinforces the strategic value of the Anuanua Moana. It enables us to collect consistent, high-quality data on a recurring basis, reduce dependence on third-party vessel availability, and advance the regulatory work required to evaluate these resources responsibly. These integrated workstreams reflects AOMC’s view that responsible development requires environmental science and resource assessment to advance in parallel.”

The expedition integrated sediment physico-chemistry with quantitative macrofaunal, meiofaunal, foraminiferal, and molecular environmental DNA (eDNA) data to establish baseline ecological conditions and natural variability across representative deep-sea habitats. Additional datasets were collected where feasible, including bathymetry, water-column biomass, and surface marine observations.

“This was an exceptional campaign that reflects the capability and discipline of the entire team,” said Hans Smit, CEO of Ocean Minerals, LLC. “In three weeks, the team completed 53 sites, including the planned 45 priority sites, and generated a substantial new body of data that enhances our understanding of the deep-sea ecosystem within the Moana 1 Project Area. The combination of biological, chemical, physical, and geological sampling is exactly the kind of integrated science required to assess natural variability, understand ecosystem structure, and support evidence-based environmental management.”

For the Expedition 7 research campaign, the Anuanua Moana was deployed as a centralized research and exploration asset across AOMC’s portfolio, including Moana Minerals’ El3 licensed area. The exploration license, granted by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, is held by OML through its subsidiary Moana Minerals Ltd.

As previously announced, the 196-foot (~60 meters) MV Anuanua Moana is a dedicated science platform for deep-sea minerals and environmental research. The vessel is supported by a permanent crew and outfitted with equipment that enables multiple workstreams on a single platform, including bathymetric mapping, biological sampling, sediment sampling, nodule characterization, and water-column observation. This integrated capability avoids the long mobilization, demobilization, and equipment-integration delays typical of conventional chartered vessels.

About American Ocean Minerals Corporation

American Ocean Minerals Corporation is establishing a U.S.-controlled global supply chain for critical minerals and rare earth elements sourced from polymetallic nodules. To learn more, please visit www.aomusa.com.

About 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 resources 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Generally, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “forecast,” “likely,” “believe,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “may” and similar expressions or their negative, may, but are not necessary to, identify forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the timing, consummation and anticipated benefits of the Transaction, expectations around the deployment and use of the Anuanua Moana and other vessels, expectations around AOMC’s ownership of OML or CIC after the Transaction, the use and value of data collected during Expedition 7, the ability of such data to support environmental baseline assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Pre-Feasibility Studies, resource estimates, permitting, future regulatory engagement, and potential future mineral harvesting activities. The experience and results of the Transaction or AOMC’s operations or results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements.

The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors: the risk that the conditions to the closing of the Transaction are not satisfied, including the risk that required approvals of the Transaction are not obtained; litigation relating to the Transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the Transaction; risks that the proposed Transaction disrupts the current plans or operations of Odyssey or AOMC; the ability to retain and hire key personnel; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Transaction; potential adverse reactions or changes to relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the ability to achieve the synergies expected from the Transaction; ability to commercially extract mineral deposits after the Transaction; risks and hazards inherent in the mining business, including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects; uncertainty about the ability to obtain required capital to execute business plans; changes in the market prices of minerals; uncertainty around whether and when regulatory and other approvals for the Transaction will be received or the listing or exploration licensing will be obtained; and geopolitical, regulatory and macroeconomic risks in the areas in which Odyssey and AOMC operate.

Other factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in Odyssey’s filings with the SEC, which include its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed in connection with the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof and no person is under any obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger Transaction between Odyssey and AOMC, Odyssey has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which includes a document that serves as a prospectus and proxy statement of Odyssey (the “proxy statement/prospectus”), and Odyssey will file other documents regarding the proposed Transaction with the SEC. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE OR AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to Odyssey’s stockholders. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these documents free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

In addition, investors and stockholders should note that Odyssey communicates with investors and the public using its website, www.odysseymarine.com, and the investor relations website, https://ir.odysseymarine.com, where anyone will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Odyssey with the SEC. Stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed Transaction.

Participants in the Solicitation

Odyssey, AOMC, and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees and certain of their respective significant stockholders may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Odyssey and AOMC stockholders in respect of the proposed Transaction. Information about Odyssey’s directors and executive officers is available in Odyssey’s proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 25, 2025, for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and Odyssey’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2026.

Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holding or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed Transaction. Investors should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. Free copies of these documents may be obtained from the SEC and Odyssey as indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

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Teneo

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Australia/Oceania Cook Islands United States North America Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Environmental Issues Environmental Health Other Natural Resources Mining/Minerals Maritime Transport Other Science Natural Resources Research Environment Science

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Photo

The MV Anuanua Moana, a 196-foot (~60 meters) purpose-built research vessel, serves as the core offshore vessel for environmental and exploration programs across the Pacific. The Expedition 7 research campaign was conducted aboard the Anuanua Moana and completed a robust sampling program over three weeks.