Technical direction of the company is handled by an Executive Management Committee, which has been constituted with equal representation from a leading international mining corporation and DSM personal members. The international mining corporation holds an equity position in DSM, which includes Board and Management Committee representation. This arrangement permits an efficient integration of the key issues related to marine operations while drawing on the extensive experience and capabilities related to exploration, metallurgy, process design, and mining which are available at international mining corporation.

DSM operations are divided into eight technical focus groups, which address the essential functions of the venture. In practice, these groups interact significantly on many of the important operational decisions, which must be made. Also critical to the success of DSM are the independent industrial groups which are affiliated with DSM, through joint ventures, contracts, or other arrangements, and which provide the needed capabilities to address the many technical challenges, which arise. Chief among these is Halliburton SubSea.

A cross sections of an active hydro-thermal vent and associated biological life forms

Another important industrial affiliate of DSM is the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility (CSSF). CSSF owns and operates the Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Science (ROPOS), a forty horsepower electrohydraulic ROV. The vehicle is a component of a cage/vehicle system with full operational capability to 5,000 meters depth. It is equipped with two video cameras, two manipulators, sonar, and a variety of customs sampling tools and several digital data channels. Through these and other arrangements with top industrial groups, DSM is capable of mounting major marine operations and system development efforts quickly and with minimal requirements for internal staffing.

In addition to these industrial affiliations DSM has developed strategic partnerships with several leading governmental and research institutions with worldwide research interests. These include leading European oceanographic institutions. DSM is still engaged in finalization of the negotiations with these institutions. These institutions will provide very significant general scientific and logistical support. DSM has selected these institutions for their specific expertise in sea floor VMS deposits. In areas of mutual interest to DSM and these institutions, will co-sponsor and co-fund cruises that will be conducted, effecting considerable cost savings. The result of these relationships will produce benefits to both DSM and the research institutions by the joined scientific expertise and experience. Affiliations on a global basis with other similar leading research and development institutes are planned.

ROPOS ROV from CSSF