Transparency in the field of deep sea mining: Filtering the murky waters

Willaert, Klaas

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104840

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…This configuration results in particles of comminuted polymetallic nodules having a 90 = 211 µm and an isometric shape with a relatively significantly developed specific surface area. Of these, approximately 40% are excessively fine particles with dimensions smaller than <63 µm, which is considered to be the hazardous limit [13] size value for reasons of marine environmental protection [62,64]. As, presently, this limit is also being shifted to <20 µm [23], the nodule particles comminuted in our hydro-jet mill contain only 13% of excessively fine particles.…”

Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…In order to facilitate visual comparison of the particle size of concretions formed during the comminution with water jets at different pressures, the corresponding SEM images with equal magnification (500×) are summarized in Figure 21. The content of particles smaller than 63μm, being the hazardous limit size value [13] of such wastes due to marine environmental protection [63,64], also changes to an analogous degree. At a water jet with a pressure of 70 MPa, their content among crushed nodules is about 28%, and at 100 MPa it is 40%.…”

Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, with a certain simplification, it can be concluded that the comminution of polymetallic concretions with a water jet at very high pressures causes excessive fragmentation and primarily produces waste which is harmful to the marine environment. The content of particles smaller than 63µm, being the hazardous limit size value [13] of such wastes due to marine environmental protection [63,64], also changes to an analogous degree. At a water jet with a pressure of 70 MPa, their content among crushed nodules is about 28%, and at 100 MPa it is 40%.…”

Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comminution of Polymetallic Nodules with a High-Pressure Water Jet

et al. 2022

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This paper presents an original method for the comminution of polymetallic nodules in a hydro-jet mill of our own design, having the water jet pressure in the range of 70–200 MPa. The best comminution results are ensured by equipping the mill with a water jet having a diameter dw = 0.7 mm and a comminution-homogenization tube having a diameter dh = 2.4 mm, and by setting a distance s = 10 mm from the outlet of the homogenization tube to the comminuting disc. Particles of concretions comminuted under such conditions are characterized by a fairly regular isometric shape and favorable morphology represented by intense development of the specific surface.

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Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comminution of Polymetallic Nodules with a High-Pressure Water Jet

et al. 2022

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“…This would support the contractor and improve the Council's ability to 'exercise control over activities in the Area' 20 . The review and baseline studies should re reported transparently (Ardron, 2018;Ardron, 2020;Haeckel et al, 2020;Komaki and Fluharty, 2020;Willaert, 2022), not least to address challenges around noncompliance with annual reporting requirements. 21 When a contractor conducts equipment testing during the exploration stage, or similar activities which require an EIA 22 , the LTC has an additional opportunity to review the baseline and assess the quality of the monitoring programfor the testing.…”

Section: Current Governance Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the quality of environmental baselines for deep seabed mining

2022

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Generating environmental baseline knowledge is a prerequisite for evaluating and predicting the effects of future deep seabed mining on the seafloor and in the water column. Without baselines, we lack the information against which to assess impacts and therefore cannot decide whether or not they pose an acceptable risk to the marine environment. At present, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which is the international regulator for seabed mining, requires contractors engaged in mineral exploration to establish geological and environmental baselines for their respective contract areas. However, there are no criteria for evaluating what a robust baseline entails. This paper seeks to address this gap by not only analyzing the role and importance of baselines for environmental management but also suggesting criteria for evaluating the quality of baselines. Such criteria (which we present in tabular format) should include at least a minimum amount of technical information, based on best available scientific information and process, in standardized format to enable comparison between contractors and regional synthesis. These criteria should also allow baselines to be used for before-after comparisons through the choice of appropriate zones for comparison of impacts, and to prepare and test a suite of monitoring indicators and their metrics. Baseline studies should identify uncertainties, vulnerable species and habitats, and include transparent reporting as well as exchange with independent scientists and other stakeholders. The quality criteria suggested in this paper build on the ISA’s existing Mining Code and seek to support the development of a more standardized catalogue of requirements for environmental baselines. This will allow states, mining operators, the ISA, and the public to gain a better understanding of the environmental impacts of seabed mining and available mitigation measures.

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A critical assessment of the International Seabed Authority’s implementation of the Common Heritage of Mankind principle from the perspective of benefit-sharing regime

Shen

2023

Int Environ Agreements

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Transparency in the field of deep sea mining: Filtering the murky waters

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Comminution of Polymetallic Nodules with a High-Pressure Water Jet

Comminution of Polymetallic Nodules with a High-Pressure Water Jet

Evaluating the quality of environmental baselines for deep seabed mining

A critical assessment of the International Seabed Authority’s implementation of the Common Heritage of Mankind principle from the perspective of benefit-sharing regime

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