Deep Sea Minerals talks U.S., Cook Islands plans

Executive Summary

• Deep Sea Minerals Corp. provides a strategic update on its offshore critical minerals initiatives in the Cook Islands and the U.S., highlighting significant regulatory shifts and geopolitical developments in the critical minerals sector.
• The company announces its graduation from the OTC Pink Market to the OTCQB Venture Market, effective immediately, to enhance visibility and liquidity.
• The company granted 575,000 stock options to directors, officers, and consultants, subject to regulatory approval and specific vesting/hold periods.

Key Details

• U.S. Regulatory & Policy Updates:
  • NOAA announced revisions on Jan 21, 2026, to streamline and consolidate deep seabed exploration licenses and commercial recovery permit applications under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA).
  • NOAA announced on Jan 22, 2026, a federally financed hydrographic survey exceeding 30,000 square nautical miles offshore American Samoa, beginning Feb 2026, as part of the U.S. offshore critical minerals mapping plan.
  • The U.S. launched "Project Vault," a $12-billion strategic stockpile initiative supported by public and private funding to strengthen mineral resilience.
  • On Feb 5, 2026, U.S. officials unveiled plans for a critical minerals trade bloc involving ~55 countries to counter China's dominance, proposing coordinated price floors and adjustable tariffs.
• Cook Islands Strategy:
  • On Feb 4, 2026, the Cook Islands government and the U.S. formalized a framework for cooperation on critical minerals research and supply chain security.
  • The Cook Islands has extended aspects of its seabed minerals exploration program timeline, focusing on scientific work and a precautionary approach.
  • Deep Sea Minerals views the Cook Islands EEZ as a jurisdiction with an established regulatory framework and extensive baseline data.
• OTCQB Uplisting:
  • The company graduated from the OTC Pink Market to the OTCQB Venture Market, effective today.
  • Ticker symbol: OTCQB: DSEAF.
  • Benefits cited: Increased visibility, improved liquidity, and enhanced disclosure standards.
• Stock Option Grant:
  • Granted 575,000 stock options to certain directors, officers, and consultants.
  • Exercise price: Equal to the market price of shares at the time of grant.
  • Term: Up to five years from the date of grant.
  • Vesting: Over a period of six months to 24 months.
  • Hold Period: Four months and one day from the date of grant for shares issued upon exercise.

Notable Quotes

• "The aggressive action taken by the U.S. government in recent weeks reinforces the critical minerals imperative and validates our strategic focus. The institutional momentum is profound." — James Deckelman, CEO
• "U.S. collaboration with the Cook Islands government attests to the nation's critical minerals importance, consistent with Deep Sea's evaluation of this area," — James Deckelman, CEO
• "Graduating to the OTCQB is an important milestone for Deep Sea Minerals as we continue to advance our strategy and broaden our exposure to U.S. investors... We believe this listing enhances our visibility and accessibility in the U.S. market and supports our ongoing efforts to build long-term shareholder value." — James Deckelman, CEO