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By Cameron Rees

The University of New South Wales Mining Research Centre (UMRC) has a longstanding research reputation in mining research, with particular expertise in mining systems, mining geomechanics and excavation engineering. The UMRC is now focusing this expertise on the potential of mining Seafloor Massive Sulphides (SMS). The UMRC has initiated a three-year research project that will identify and examine the requirements to effectively and efficiently mine SMS deposits. The major aims of this project are: ? To develop an understanding of the geomechanical characteristics and local physical environmental conditions associated with a ?typical? SMS deposit. ? To develop and evaluate a range of both conventional and innovative excavation processes for mining SMS deposits, and define the engineering parameters required for each extraction option, and ? To identify the materials handling and lifting requirements of the ?mined? SMS material, and the possible integration of the lifting system with the excavation processes considered.

Jan 1, 2002

By Ki-Hyune Kim

The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute conducted its first exploration for deepsea mineral resources in 1983, and began a systematic deepsea prospecting in 1989 among Micronesian islands and in central and eastern parts of Carion-Clipperton fracture zones of eastern Pacific. With the arrival of R/V Onnuri in 1992, KORDI commenced a full-scale national program for nodule exploration. The total area surveyed by KORDI covers more than 1,500,000 km2. At the end of 1993, based on the collected data, Korea designated 300,000 km2 in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone as prospective mining area for manganese nodules, and accordingly, the government of Korea submitted the application in January of 1994 to the United Nations for registration as a pioneer investor and for the allocation of a pioneer area. This application was approved by the General Committee of the Preparatory Commission in August 1994. As a result, Korea became the 7m pioneer investor under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. KORDI is now carrying out detailed exploration survey and environmental studies in the registered area to fulfill required obligations to UN, and Korea will continue exploring the last frontier on earth. It is KORDI's unshaken calling to be successful in exploiting deepsea resources to provide our nation resources it lacks. It is not only a challenge to explore deepsea, but it is also our national mission to explore and succeed in our endeavor for future generation.

Jan 1, 2011

By Carlos Almeida, Bruno Matias, Stef Kapuskiak, Eduardo Silva, José Miguel Almeida, Alfredo Martins

Underwater intervention operations have been supported by robotic systems such as remotely operated vehicles (ROV) for a long time. In particular challenging scenarios such as the deep sea, the use of ROV systems for environment awareness is in fact the main tool of choice. With the technical advances in autonomous robotics, there is an increased effort in substitute ROVs whenever possible for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). These systems don't have tether and thus provide large advantages from the operations and logistic point of view. However the limited options for underwater communications render them impracticable for many tasks were real time environment awareness and direct human control is needed. Emerging applications in underwater mining, both at sea [1] and in inland flooded mines [2] pose additional requirements in terms of operation support needs and environment restrictions. Two main tasks are to be addressed by assisting robots in these underwater mining operations: providing adequate environment awareness for human operators and obtain precise realtime 3D environment modelling (particularly relevant for the mining planning). The use of ROVs with umbilical cable, has in this case large limitations due to the nature of the mining cutting (performed by dedicated systems) that limit manoeuvrability and pose high risk of cutting the cable or damaging the vehicle. In this paper we present EVA (Exploration VAMOS AUV) an innovative hybrid ROV/AUV system developed for operations support in inland underwater mining operations. This robot is always operated without tether, and the can be used in a wireless ROV tele-operation mode using very short range high bandwidth underwater communication systems and in autonomous AUV mode.

Jan 1, 2018

By Hyun Sub Kim

Subsea mineral deposit exploration aboard the R/V Onnuri was performed along the northern Central Indian Ridge (CIR) between 8°S and 17°S in December 2009 ~ January 2010 (09IR Leg01 and 09IR Leg02) and December 2010~ January 2011 (10IR Leg01, 10IR Leg02, and 10IR Leg03). Final goal of the expedition for the first Korean research cruise on mid ocean ridge system is to define seafloor massive sulfide ore bodies through searching the active hydrothermal vents nearby spreading centers as well as to elucidate the nature of spreading segments of the northern CIR area where no systematic survey have been operated before by mapping and sampling of volcanic rocks. The preliminary result of topographical interpretations of bathymetry clearly display ocean core complex between 10°S and 11°S. The ocean core complex is featured by topographic-high area with corrugated surface. Lineaments of corrugations of the ocean core complex are clearly perpendicular to abyssal hill direction which is triggered by symmetric-normal faults. Ocean core complex are favor for hydrothermal fluid path because of the long-lived faults. In further exploration, more detailed examination, including systematic CTD casting and tows, need to narrow down actual venting site around ocean core complex. Magnetic field survey is able to estimate the location of hydrothermal vents with the properties that high temperature of hydrothermal fluids over Curie-point can cause thermal demagnetization. In magnetization intensity map, most of low magnetization zones are located at the nodal point over the ridge axis and the ocean core complex.

Jan 1, 2011

By Pierre-Yves Morvan

One of the numerous challenge for underwater mining is the positioning. This paper describes an architecture for the integration of an Ultra Short BaseLine (USBL), an Acoustic Synthetic BaseLine (ASBL) operating in Sparse Array mode and a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) closely coupled with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for precise subsea positioning in severe environments. By using such architectures, the INS can help to reduce the noise on the measurements coming from acoustic sensors. Another advantage is the capability to reduce the number of required transponders on the seabed, and as a consequence, reduce the time for the deployment and calibration of each transponder. The paper further describes sea-trials performed to assess the ability of a complete positioning system to provide decimetric positioning precision even with a single beacon deployed in the navigation area.

Jan 1, 2017

By Alan Foley

The Portable Remote Operated Drill was developed in Sydney, Australia in the 1990’s. The device is a platform for many in-situ seabed sampling and coring tasks. The range of tools developed for use in PROD’s magazine now includes gas detectors, vane testers, penetrometers and corers. This paper presents aspects of the soils testing undertaken in deepwater since 2005, focusing on testing of methane hydrates and reefal accumulations. The varied selection of tools carried in PROD’s magazines allow the unit to perform several functions from the seafloor in one deployment.

Sep 24, 2006

By J. R. Woolsey

The cost of an offshore exploration project is mainly dependent on the size of the vessel engaged for the work and increases dramatically with increasing size. Of the various factors influencing vessel size, the type and size of the sampling equipment is typically the principal consideration. This scenario is particularly true of shallow sampling programs employing a vibracore system. The problem develops when certain bottom materials such as densely packed fine sand require sampling. This type of material being one of the most difficult for the standard vibracore systems, with integral core liner, to penetrate to a reasonable depth of some five to seven meters. The problem is mainly related to the excessive cross sectional area of the cutting bit required to accommodate the core liner. The typical solution has been to apply more power to the vibracore drive head which results in a considerable scale-up for the entire system with attendant increase in vessel size. In order to reduce operating cost, M.M.R.I. has developed several systems for deployment from vessels in the 20 meter range. Two systems are modifications to the basic vibracore and a third is a vibralift system. Basically, one of the vibracore units is employed where core liners are required, utilizing a special jet bit designed to reduce the cutting pressure on the bit while not affecting the integrity of the core. The other designed for core extrusion on

Jan 1, 1986

By M. Geoghegan

Under the provisions of the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention Ireland is likely to have mineral rights to an area of continental shelf some six times its present land area. Apart from the major potential hydrocarbon basins which are currently the focus of active commercial exploration, little is known about the mineral resources of this vast area. In recent years a variety of mineral resources however have been identified from the coastal region. These include Sand and Gravel aggregates, Calcaraeous Algae (Lithothamnion), Heavy Mineral Sands and Coal deposits. The potential also exists in the coastal zone for buried placer deposits and base metal deposits. Several million cubic metres of gravel and hundreds of millions of cubic metres of sand have been identified by the Geological Survey of Irelands (G.S.I) Marine Unit off the east coast. The greater part of these deposits lies within the 10 metre depth contour and are easily recoverable. Irish aggregate needs at present are well supplied by onshore Pleistocene glacial deposits. Commercial interest in offshore deposits is in supplying coastal areas which are locally poor in aggregate and major coastal construction works. The possibility of supplying the large British and Continental European Market nearby also exists.

Jan 1, 1988

By Yoshio Masuda

Cobalt-rich crust in rich Co, Ni, Mm and Pt will be a potential resources for island country such as Republic. Marshall Islands. This study was conducted for Marshall Islands by the President Kabua?s request. It covers crust resources, CLB mining, processing, and economic estimation, and study concluded feasible veiw.

Jan 1, 1991

By U. Schwarz-Schampera, P. Stoffers

The main characteristics of the 2545 km Tonga-Kermadec subduction system are the subduction of the Pacific Plate and its sedimentary cover in the Tonga-Kermadec trench and the extension and rifting of the lithosphere behind the active island arc in the Lau basin - Havre Trough back-arc systems. The subduction of the Louisville Seamount chain at 25.6°S affects the tectonic and volcanic system and separates the island arc into the Tonga arc and the Kermadec arc, respectively. To the west, a Miocene island arc is represented by the Lau-Colville ridge. The crustal extension between the Lau-Colville and the Tonga-Kermadec ridge started at about 6 Ma, and induced their separation and the onset of the southward rifting since about 5 Ma. Characteristics of the Tonga-Kermadec arc system include (i) the fourthfold decrease of the subduction rate from 24 cm/a in northern Tonga to 6 cm/a in the southern Kermadec trench, mainly north of 23.5°S; (ii) the development from fast spreading in the Lau basin (16 cm/a) to slow rifting (2 cm/a) in the southern Havre Trough with the transition from spreading to rifting at 23.5°S; (iii) variations in the composition and the volume of the subducting sediments and rocks (detritus from the Samoan hotspot at the northern Tonga arc; the aseismic Louisville ridge at the southern Tonga arc; increasing terrigenous sediments from New Zealand at the southern Kermadec arc); (iv) a number of active volcanic centers younger than 1 Ma and characterized by significant shallow submarine hydrothermal systems.

Aug 24, 2006

By Eric J. Foell, Hjalmar Thiel, Gerd Schriever

Environmental studies for the mining of polymetallic nodules (PN) from the deep sea may be traced back for some 35 years.

By Eleanor Martin

An examination of the draft Exploitation Regulations from an investor’s perspective. We will look at the commercial requirements of the investment community (debt and equity) in order to provide funding to a deepsea mining project, and contrast this with the position put forward in the draft Exploitation Regulations. We will then recommend suggested amendments to the Exploitation Regulations to assist future investment on this growing industry.

Jan 1, 2018

By Benoît Waquet

In a context of scarce mineral resources, coupled with an increasing global demand in metals due to the exponential growth of newly industrialized countries, the mining industry will inevitably have to deal with tomorrow?s resources: underwater deposits. Three types of offshore deposits are known to date: polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts and hydrothermal sulphides. The latter, regarding the political-economic context, is now considered most likely to be exploited in a near future. Operating a mine critically requires accurate knowledge on geotechnical properties of the ore. A question is thus to be asked: Is there a particular spatial organization of geotechnical properties in a hydrothermal sulfide mound? In the present study, geotechnical properties have been measured for 29 sulfide samples of known origin, completed by 14 measurements on Western Pacific specimens from Yamazaki et al. (1990) and Yamazaki and Park (2003). From these geotechnical data on 43 sulfide samples, we can provide some answers to this question above, crucial for future exploitation of underwater mines.

Jan 1, 2010

By P. Mikhailik

Recently, characterized by fast development high- and nano-technology, demand for rare and trace metals has increased. One of such metals is gallium. Gallium compounds, mainly GaAs, are used in medicine, to manufacture optoelectronic devices, microwave techniques, devices of solar power and infrared optics, etc. The basic gallium industrial deposits are known only on land. There are bauxites (50 ppm), nepheline rocks and ores (36-38 ppm, minerals concentrators are nepheline and sodalite), Zn-Pb-Cu ores (5000-12000 ppm, minerals concentrators are gallite, germanite, sphalerite, bornite), sulphide-polymetallic and Pb-Zn ores (10-32 ppm, minerals concentrators sphalerite, chalcopyrite) (Vershkovskya et al., 1998). High concentration of gallium are observed in hydrothermal massive sulphides of a Mid-Okinawa Trough (The South Chinese Sea) and Sujo seamount (The Philippine Sea) (Noguchi et al., 2007). As it is known, deep-sea massive sulphides and associated Fe-Mn crusts are products of hydrothermal fluid discharge. High-temperature massive sulphides precipitation are the first, and low-temperature Fe-Mn crusts deposition is the last process of hydrothermal mineralization (Cronan, 1982). Hydrogenic crusts and nodules of the World ocean are characterized by low concentration of Ga, close to clarke (19 ppm) (Kobaltbogatye.., 2002). Hydrogenic crusts from the Sea of Okhotsk are exception, because Ga concentrations are exceeded clarke in 3,5 times (Mikhailik, et al., 2009). Complex studying of Fe-Mn crusts from deep-sea basins volcanic seamounts of the Sea of Japan has shown their hydrothermal-sedimentary genesis (Mikhailik, 2009). High gallium concentration (up to 850 ppm) was established in these crusts by ICP-MS (Agilent 7500C). Microprobe research (JXA-8100) of samples Fe-Mn crusts has not revealed the gallium minerals concentrators. It suggests that, gallium in Fe-Mn crusts of the Sea of Japan is sorb substance.

Jan 1, 2010

By Robert M. Owen

Geochemical exploration for marine placers involves the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of geochemical data. Recent technological advances such as in-situ analysis systems and microcomputers have greatly improved our ability to acquire and process data, but their full benefits cannot be realized until we also develop improved methods for reducing and interpreting large amounts of raw geochemical data. Toward this end, our research has sought to identify existing and/or develop new geostatistical techniques for use in marine placer exploration. Each technique has been tested by evaluating its performance in the analysis of existing data sets. The data sets typically include the results of chemical analyses of suites of sediment samples collected from areas of known or suspected platinum and gold placers along the Bering Sea coast of Alaska. Results to date indicate that three geostatistical methods (subpopulation partitioning analysis, comparative factor analysis, and end-member compositional factor analysis) are useful in identifying elemental groups which can serve as "pathfinders" in the search for marine placers, and are also helpful in discerning the generic geochemical basis under lying observed statistical correlations between pathfinder elements and placer minerals. Existing methods of modelling sediment dispersal patterns have been examined with a view toward adapting them to the specific problem of understanding placer formation in

Jan 1, 1986

By Harry J. Olson

Geothermal Energy has a great potential for meeting the electrical and thermal energy requirements of many countries and territories lying along tectonically active zones within and surrounding the Pacific Basin. Energy requirements for many of these small, scattered volcanic island nations preclude development of conventional generating facilities large enough to incorporate any economies of scale. However, by attempting to discover and develop shallow, relatively low temperature, geothermal reservoirs associated with recent vulcanism on many of the volcanic islands, exploration expenditures and risks, and problems associated with the development of high temperature resources can be reduced. Exploration and development drilling for these resources can be accomplished with truck mounted rotary drilling rigs that are less costly and more suitable for operations within the island infrastructures than the conventional rigs normally used in the drilling of deep, high temperature geothermal resources. Experience over the past decade with small, modular, binary (Rankine) cycle generating units indicates that geothermal energy can provide a reliable source of baseload electricity in the amounts required and at a cost that is competitive with other alternative and conventional energy sources. Development of shall, moderate temperature, geothermal resources with small, modular binary cycle generating units can provide ideal additions to the energy sources of many of the Pacific volcanic island nations within the framework of their island economies.

Jan 1, 1991

By James C. Barker

Alaska's expansive continental shelf represents future opportunities for marine mineral development. Although today's metal prices and subsidized foreign mineral production continue to discourage industry investment in marine exploration worldwide, the longer term outlook is one of increasing costs on-shore with a dwindling land-base available on which to search for and extract minerals. Likely, the generations of the 21st century will increasingly recover their minerals from the sea-floor. Though largely unexplored, Alaska potentially represents a major port ion of the U.S. marine resources. Several factors demonstrate this. First, the Alaskan OCS is huge; 74% of the entire United States' continental shelf lies off of Alaska, and 54% of the U.S. coastline is Alaskan. Combined with the jurisdiction waters of the Soviet Far East, the Bering-Chukchi shelf is one of the world's largest tracts of shallow water. Second, Alaska is situated at the northwestern terminus of the mineral-rich American cordillera. From Chile to Alaska, major on-shore deposits of precious and base metals, ferroalloys, and industrial minerals are found in the tectonically disturbed belts of the cordillera. In 1988, the western U.S. cordilleran states produced 70% of this country's mineral output (excluding construction materials). Throughout the cordillera's entire 10,000 mile length, the rock units strike largely parallel to the coastline, but in Alaska they extend directly offshore and onto the continental shelf. Consequently, the mineral-rich terranes off of Alaska have a much more complex interaction with coastal and lit-

Jan 1, 1991

By P. Mikhailik

Recently, characterized by fast development high- and nano-technology, demand for rare and trace metals has increased. One of such metals is gallium. Gallium compounds, mainly GaAs, are used in medicine, to manufacture optoelectronic devices, microwave techniques, devices of solar power and infrared optics, etc. The basic gallium industrial deposits are known only on land. There are bauxites (50 ppm), nepheline rocks and ores (36-38 ppm, minerals concentrators are nepheline and sodalite), Zn-Pb-Cu ores (5000-12000 ppm, minerals concentrators are gallite, germanite, sphalerite, bornite), sulphide-polymetallic and Pb-Zn ores (10-32 ppm, minerals concentrators sphalerite, chalcopyrite) (Vershkovskya et al., 1998). High concentration of gallium are observed in hydrothermal massive sulphides of a Mid-Okinawa Trough (The South Chinese Sea) and Sujo seamount (The Philippine Sea) (Noguchi et al., 2007). As it is known, deep-sea massive sulphides and associated Fe-Mn crusts are products of hydrothermal fluid discharge. High-temperature massive sulphides precipitation are the first, and low-temperature Fe-Mn crusts deposition is the last process of hydrothermal mineralization (Cronan, 1982). Hydrogenic crusts and nodules of the World ocean are characterized by low concentration of Ga, close to clarke (19 ppm) (Kobaltbogatye.., 2002). Hydrogenic crusts from the Sea of Okhotsk are exception, because Ga concentrations are exceeded clarke in 3,5 times (Mikhailik, et al., 2009). Complex studying of Fe-Mn crusts from deep-sea basins volcanic seamounts of the Sea of Japan has shown their hydrothermal-sedimentary genesis (Mikhailik, 2009). High gallium concentration (up to 850 ppm) was established in these crusts by ICP-MS (Agilent 7500C). Microprobe research (JXA-8100) of samples Fe-Mn crusts has not revealed the gallium minerals concentrators. It suggests that, gallium in Fe-Mn crusts of the Sea of Japan is sorb substance.

Jan 1, 2010

By Jung-Keuk Kang

Recently, the Korean government prepared a strategy for deep seabed mining, which consists of three stages for 20 years until 2010. The first step of the program is focused to conduct deep seabed exploration until 1993. The apparent "hurry-and-spend to catch-up" policy that the Korean government has shown in deep seabed mineral exploration was motivated by an effort to qualify a prerequisite requirement to be a pioneer investor as a developing country under the terms of Resolution II and the New York Understanding. Since 1983, KORDI (Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute) under the auspices of the Korean government has carried out deep seabed mineral exploration. The KORDI had a joint exploration program with USGS from 1989 to 1991 aiming to evaluate the potentiality of manganese nodule in the western part of Clarion-Clipperton Zone as well as that of manganese crusts in the western Pacific. In 1992, Korean government accelerates its program by the confirmation of national policy and the equipment of new built research vessel, Onnuri-Ho. The RIV Onnuri-Ho is about 1400 G/T, which is equipped with various advanced instruments including GPS, multi-beam echosounder (Seabeam 2000), multi-channel seismic system, and MDM system.

Jan 1, 1992

By Jae-Hyung Park

Since the Industrial Revolution, the land resources have been decreased rapidly as the industrialization. And this phenomenon brings to our mind an interest in deep-sea resource(manganese nodule). Hence, Korea has been participated in the development project of exploiting manganese nodule since 1983. Hwang and cho(1998) studied the economic efficiency evaluation of manganese nodule carrier. But they used the TAMU(Texas A&M University) model, and assumed deadweight and velocity of bulk-carrier. If we use some optimization technique, more economic manganese nodule carrier can be selected and evaluated without limited assumption. In this study, we evaluated the economic efficiency of manganese nodule carrier using genetic algorithms(GAs).

Jan 1, 2003