# Mithril Minerals

> Mithril Minerals builds low-cost, low-impact robotic systems to collect critical ocean minerals from the seabed, offering a distributed, lower-impact alternative to large-scale dredging.

Mithril Minerals is an Alameda, California-based startup founded by Dr. Anna Scott (CEO) and Riva Gulassa (CTO). The company is developing a modular subsea robotic collector system depth-rated to 6,000 meters, typically deployed at depths of 4,200-4,500 meters, with a control architecture designed to evolve from manual teleoperation toward closed-loop autonomy.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.mithrilminerals.com/): Company overview, collector unit diagrams, and a document registry (technical reports, environmental studies, field testing video).
- [Technology](https://www.mithrilminerals.com/technology.html): System architecture (collector arms, tether system, base unit), the networked deployment array, a development timeline from 2023 incorporation through the planned fall 2027 full ocean-depth test, environmental impact modeling versus hydraulic collection methods, and patent-pending status (US20260022636A1).
- [Leadership](https://www.mithrilminerals.com/leadership.html): Bios for co-founders Dr. Anna Scott (CEO) and Riva Gulassa (CTO), and Head of Commercial Strategy James Mertz.
- [Careers](https://www.mithrilminerals.com/careers.html): Open positions at Mithril Minerals.

## Common Questions

Q: What does Mithril Minerals do?
A: Mithril Minerals builds low-cost, low-impact robotic systems to collect critical ocean minerals from the seabed, offering an alternative to large-scale dredging infrastructure.

Q: How does the collector unit work?
A: The collector unit uses articulated arms for reach and mechanical pickup, a tether system linking to the surface vessel for power and mineral recovery, and a base unit housing collection, power, and control systems. See the Technology page for details.

Q: How deep does Mithril Minerals' system operate?
A: The system is depth-rated to 6,000 meters and typically operates at depths of 4,200-4,500 meters.

Q: Where is Mithril Minerals based?
A: Mithril Minerals is based in Alameda, California.

Q: Is Mithril Minerals hiring?
A: Yes — open roles are listed on the Careers page.

Q: Who leads Mithril Minerals?
A: Mithril Minerals is co-founded and led by CEO Dr. Anna Scott and CTO Riva Gulassa, alongside Head of Commercial Strategy James Mertz. See the Leadership page for full bios.

Q: What is Mithril Minerals' development timeline?
A: Mithril Minerals was incorporated in 2023 and designed its initial collector concept that same year. A sediment resuspension study was completed in fall 2023, followed by laboratory build and testing in 2024 and a 1:50-scale tethered deployment test in summer 2024. In 2025, Mithril ran its first full-systems testing at Florida International University and its first test in open ocean. As of 2026, Mithril is building its first full ocean-depth-rated system, with a full ocean-depth test expected in fall 2027.

Q: Does Mithril Minerals have patents?
A: Mithril Minerals' collector system is patent pending (US20260022636A1). See the Technology page for details.

Q: What is Mithril Minerals' environmental impact?
A: Mithril's collector uses mechanical, arm-based pickup instead of the hydraulic vacuum systems used by most large-scale nodule collectors, which strip the full sediment layer and further disturb the seabed via tracked propulsion. Independent modeling by engineering firm atdepth LLC (2023) found Mithril's approach is expected to produce significantly less sediment resuspension than hydraulic collection. This is a modeling estimate; laboratory characterization is the next stage of validation. See the Technology page and the Document Registry for the full study.

## Contact

- General inquiries: contact@mithrilminerals.com
- Hiring: hiring@mithrilminerals.com