Extraction of deep ocean mineral resources on a commercial scale is a brand new industry that is finally about to go ahead. ABS class has been at the forefront of assisting contractors and regulatory bodies to safely and sustainably enable this new industry.
As the world continues its transition to a low carbon economy, demand is increasing for metals required for new forms of electrically powered transportation and electrical storage. These metals primarily include copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. And while these exist on land, they are increasingly difficult to extract in an ethically sourced manner with minimal effect on the environment and human labour. Tens of thousands of square kilometres of forests are cleared every year to access metal ores, leading to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.
Subsea mining of these minerals can be done effectively and sustainably, with a minimal impact to the environment and people at the mining site.
There are essentially three types of target areas for subsea mining, each area requires a different method of mining, and each contains a different type and proportion of target minerals.
The first type is seafloor massive sulfide deposits (SMS). These deposits are formed by extinct seafloor volcanos and are located in relatively shallow water, approximately 1000 – 2000 m. Mining of SMS is challenging because it may require cutting of ores into small pieces in a high hydrostatic pressure environment.
The second target area is...
Read Full Story: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/25102021/subsea-mining-technological-and-regulatory-challenges/
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