Development of mining technology and equipment for seafloor massive sulfide deposits

Abstract

Seafloor massive sulfide(SMS) deposits which consist of Au, Ag, Cu, and other metal elements, have been a target of commercial mining in recent decades. The demand for established and reliable commercial mining system for SMS deposits is increasing within the marine mining industry. The current status and progress of mining technology and equipment for SMS deposits are introduced. First, the mining technology and other recent developments of SMS deposits are comprehensively explained and analyzed. The seafloor production tools manufactured by Nautilus Minerals and similar mining tools from Japan for SMS deposits are compared and discussed in turn. Second, SMS deposit mining technology research being conducted in China is described, and a new SMS deposits mining tool is designed according to the environmental requirement. Finally, some new trends of mining technology of SMS deposits are summarized and analyzed. All of these conclusions and results have reference value and guiding significance for the research of SMS deposit mining in China.

Inactive Sulfide Ecosystems in the Deep Sea: A Review

“…Mining of seafloor massive sulfides will involve an initial pulverization stage at the seabed to create a slurry that can be lifted to the surface in a riser pipe (Gwyther, 2008;Liu et al, 2016). This processing step will expose fresh sulfide surfaces (of both the bulk deposit and of fine particulate debris generated by pulverization) to ambient, oxygen-rich seawater.…”

Forty years of fathoming life in hot springs on the ocean floor

“…The latest generation of deep-sea vehicles under development is turning a sharp corner from use for discovery and scientific research towards having a commercial role. Gigantic grinders, cutters and collectors are being designed, built and tested for open-pit mining of sea-bed sulfide deposits formed by hydrothermal activity 16 . One Canadian company has secured a lease to mine copper-, gold-and silver-rich hot springs in the Bismarck Sea, although so far there is no commercial mining of sea-bed sulfide deposits.…”

Status and Prospects of the Development of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodule-Collecting Technology

“…Any country or organization is required to obtain an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) before proceeding with the exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources. At present, the United Nations International Seabed Authority has issued 31 deep-sea mineral exploration contracts to 22 contractors from China, the United Kingdom, Russia, India, South Korea, France, and other countries, including 19 polymetallic nodules, seven polymetallic sulfides, and five cobalt-rich crust exploration contracts [10].…”