Deep-Sea Nodules and Co-rich Mn Crusts

The mining of deep-sea manganese nodules has been a topic of interest since J.L. Mero undertook his preliminary studies in the 1960s to evaluate the prospects for mining deep-sea nodules. Despite the great deal of investment in deep-sea mining over more than 40 years, there has still been no success...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine georesources & geotechnology 2015-01, Vol.33 (1), p.72-78
Main Authors: Glasby, G. P., Li, Jun, Sun, Zhilei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Co-rich Mn crusts
Crusts
deep-sea manganese nodules
deep-sea mining
Financing
Geotechnology
International Seabed Authority
Investment
Manganese
Manganese compounds
Minerals
Mining
Nodules
Ocean bottom
Oceans
Sedimentation & deposition
Zinc
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Summary:The mining of deep-sea manganese nodules has been a topic of interest since J.L. Mero undertook his preliminary studies in the 1960s to evaluate the prospects for mining deep-sea nodules. Despite the great deal of investment in deep-sea mining over more than 40 years, there has still been no successful attempt to mine the deep-sea nodules on a commercial scale. One of the major problems is that the nodules cannot be brought to the surface with the necessary amounts of recoverable nickel, cobalt and zinc to warrant the initial high investment necessary for this operation. It therefore appears that in the short term, deep-sea manganese and Co-rich Mn crusts will not be mined on a commercial scale in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, investigations of deep-sea mineral deposits by a number of nations will continue and enable us to understand the deep-sea environment in increasing detail, which is necessary in view of the great extent of the deep oceans which cover an area of about 66% of the Earth's surface.
ISSN:1064-119X
1521-0618
DOI:10.1080/1064119X.2013.784838