the incorporation by reference by the Company and use of the technical report titled “Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary for the EL1 Cook Islands Polymetallic Nodule Deposit, South Pacific Ocean,” with an effective date of December 31, 2025 (the “Technical Report Summary”), that was prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), that was filed as Exhibit 96.1 to and referenced in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2026 (together with any amendments thereof, the “Amendment”);

the use of and references to, any extracts from or a summary of the information from the Technical Report Summary in the Amendment and the use of any information derived, summarized, quoted, or referenced from the Technical Report Summary, or portions thereof, that was prepared by RSC, that RSC supervised the preparation of, and/or that was reviewed and approved by RSC, that is included or incorporated by reference in the Amendment;

the use of RSC, including our status as an expert or “qualified person” (as defined in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC) and technical opinions in connection with the Technical Report Summary and the Amendment.