How much is deep-sea mining worth?
The deep sea mining equipment & technologies market size was valued at $811.9 million in 2020, and is expected to reach $72,814.2 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 61.4% from 2021 to 2030. Deep sea mining is the process of mining of minerals and metals from sea floor at a depth of more than 500 meters.
What are the disadvantages of deep-sea mining?
There many environmental problems created by deep ocean mines, which level the ocean floor to extract materials. The most direct impacts at mining sites are destruction of natural land forms and the wildlife they host, compaction of the sea floor, and creation of sediment plumes that disrupt aquatic life.
Is deep-sea mining better than land mining?
From almost any perspective, seabed mining of metals is better for the environment, social justice issues and economics.
Why is deep-sea mining a problem?
Deep-sea mining could have environmental effects, such as stirring up sediment clouds that could spread toxic heavy metals. Mining noise and lights could affect sea life, and could destroy habitats on the ocean floor, around hydrothermal vents, and on seamounts and ridges.
Is deep-sea mining feasible?
Deep sea mining could be hugely profitable if scientists and engineers can assuage fears about environmental degradation. It's estimated that the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone contains more commercially viable mineral and metal deposits than all of the surface-level deposits on Earth combined.
Can deep-sea mining be sustainable?
If extracted in an environmentally sustainable manner, metals found in the deep seabed such as nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt, have the potential to help meet our global clean energy goals.
Why should deep-sea mining be banned?
Deep-sea mining would wreak enormous damage. Massive machines digging, dredging, and vacuuming up the ocean floor would create huge sediment plumes deep in the ocean that will drift on currents, smothering marine life, including species not yet discovered.
Is deep-sea mining good?
Research suggests deep-sea mining could severely harm marine biodiversity and ecosystems, but we still lack the knowledge and means to implement protections. Despite this, there is growing interest in the mineral deposits of the seabed.
What companies are deep-sea mining?
These include the MIDAS Project, the JPI Oceans MiningImpact I & II projects, the Abyssal Biological Baseline Project; the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, and INDEEP – a global network of deep-sea scientists, among others.
Is deep-sea mining vital for a greener future?
These depths potentially hold an untapped trove of metals—nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese—tucked into polymetallic nodules, potato-shaped deposits that are millions of years old. Mining these riches, they say, is the key to a greener future.
Where is deep-sea mining most common?
Although the nodules appear in various places around the deep ocean, the primary target of potential mining is the Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a 5,000-kilometer stretch of seafloor between Hawaii and California that extends 4,000–5,500 meters deep. The CCZ hosts trillions of mineral-rich nodules.
Is deep-sea mining part of the Blue Economy?
Various activities and industries make up the blue economy, including renewable marine energy, tourism, fisheries and maritime trade. But, if there's one that's catching the most attention, it's deep seabed mining (DSM).
What are some disadvantages of mining?
Harming the Environment: Mining can put dangerous pollution into the environment. Mines can destroy habitats that animals rely on to survive. Some mining companies try to repair the habitat. Damage to animal populations might be permanent.
What are the dangers of deep sea exploration?
The Dangers of Deep Sea MiningSmother entire ecological communities on the seabed.Clog hydrothermal vents.Introduce nutrient-rich deep water into surface waters, which can cause increased algae production that can harm shallow-water organisms.More items...•
What is the negative impact of mining in the marine waters?
Mining may destroy deep sea habitats, eradicate rare and unique species, and introduce sediment clouds, noise, toxic chemicals, vibration and other forms of pollution into pristine environments. Ecosystem and species recovery may take decades to centuries, if it occurs at all, according to the authors.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of sea routes?
Table of ContentsAdvantages and Disadvantages of Water Transportation.Advantages of Water Transportation. Economical. Large Storage Capacity. Safe Mode Of Transport. Increased Product Diversity and Transportable Materials. ... Disadvantages of Water Transportation. Sluggish and Time-Consuming. Reliability. Port Accessibility.
What is deep sea mining?
Deep-sea mining could provide access to a wealth of valuable minerals. Deep-sea mining could help meet mankind’s insatiable thirst for essential minerals and power the green economy of the future. It could also cause irreversible damage to a part of the planet that we know very little about. At the bottom of the ocean resides a wealth ...
Why are minerals found underwater important?
Ironically, the minerals found underwater may actually be essential if humanity is to successfully transition from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a green one.
How much nickel is needed for a wind turbine?
Many renewable technologies require large amounts of the same metals that deep-sea mining companies have set their sights on: a single wind turbine requires 500kg of nickel, while building an electric vehicle requires triple the amount of copper needed for the average internal-combustion-engine car.
How deep is the Mariana trench?
Even if the deepest parts are avoided – including the Mariana Trench and its record depth of 10,994m – travelling to the seabed often means a shadowy descent lasting more than an hour and enduring pressure thousands of times stronger than that found at the Earth’s surface.
Where are massive sulphide deposits found?
Seafloor massive sulphide deposits are predominantly found along tectonic plate boundaries or in areas with high levels of volcanic activity . Seawater seeps into seafloor cracks, dissolving minerals and carrying them back up to the surface, where they form hydrothermal chimneys and other deposits. Harvesting minerals in this form will involve a similar process to open-pit mining on land, with metallic ores crushed and pumped to the ocean surface as a slurry. Because these deposits extend below the seafloor, mining can take place over a relatively small area.
Where do cobalt-rich crusts form?
Cobalt-rich crusts form on the surface of hard rock substances at a rate of between one and five millimetres every million years. Around 57 percent of these crusts are believed to reside in the Pacific Ocean, but the mining process is expected to be highly labour-intensive due to the difficulty of removing the crust from the underlying rocks. Despite the length of time they take to form, crusts that are more than 25cm thick have been found. An area south-west of Japan, known as the Prime Crust Zone, is estimated to contain 7.5 billion tonnes of cobalt-rich crusts.
Is deep sea mining a prospect?
As the prospect of deep-sea mining comes closer into view, businesses will begin scrutinising the industry financials in more detail than ever before
Where is deep sea mining?
Some deep seabed mining has already taken place within countries’ waters: Japan in 2017, and in Papua New Guinea where the controversial Solwara 1 mining project has ground to a halt. But this year will see a critical global debate on how to manage the resources that lie in “the area” – international waters of more than 200 metres deep that cover nearly two-thirds of the earth.
Who makes deep seabed mining equipment?
The Future of Deep Seabed Mining. Deep seabed mining equipment manufactured by Nautilus Minerals (Nautilus) Published Mar 1, 2019 12:04 PM by Jessica Aldred. It’s one of the coldest, darkest places on earth, full of marine life – much of which is yet to be discovered – with a seabed rich in mineral deposits.
How does the ocean floor affect the seabed?
These processes will affect the seabed, the water column above it and surrounding areas. The scraping of the ocean floor to extract the nodules could destroy deep sea habitats of octopus, sponges and other species. Mining of the vents, which harbour massive animal communities at densities that make them one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, is likely to stir up sediment that could smother some animals. Other species that are uniquely adapted to the lack of sunlight and high pressure of deep water, could be affected by the noise and pollution.
What are the minerals in the deep sea?
Deep sea mineral formations contain a number of highly prized metals, including copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and rare earth elements. Polymetallic nodules, consisting mainly of manganese, are bumpy, usually potato-sized balls suspended in mud on the floors of the deep abyss.
When will seabed mining start?
The Belgian firm Global Sea Mineral Resources has said it is ready to start as early as 2023.
How much of the world's demand for copper and nickel is coming from the seabed?
For specific commodities such as copper, there could be up to a 341% increase in demand. The ISA says that up to 15% of global demand for copper and nickel could be met from the deep seabed. At the same time, land-based deposits of metals have become more difficult and less profitable to extract.
Why is the ocean so stressed?
But civil society groups and scientists argue that the world’s ocean is already severely stressed from climate impacts and overfishing, and that regulations are being developed without a full understanding of the risks.
What are the consequences of deep sea mining?
Scientists are urging governments and companies against deep sea mining. They warn of the irreversible destruction it may cause—both at the mine sites and beyond— including: 1 The devastation of fragile marine habitats 2 Disruption of the ocean’s “biological pump” 3 The loss of microbes important for storing carbon 4 A significant loss of biodiversity 5 Permanent destruction of our ocean ecosystems
Why is the rush to mine the depths of our ecologically sensitive waters important?
The rush to mine the depths of our ecologically sensitive waters means one thing: our oceans are more threatened now than ever before. Scientists are urging governments and companies against deep sea mining. They warn of the irreversible destruction it may cause—both at the mine sites and beyond— including: The devastation of fragile marine ...
What is the leader of deep ocean minerals exploration and resource development?
Neptune Minerals: This leader of deep ocean minerals exploration and resource development focuses on exploring and developing seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits.
What is deep green metals?
DeepGreen Metals: This Canadian start-up company has become one of the most vocal proponents for deep sea mining. They plan to extract cobalt and other battery metals from small rocks covering the seafloor, and have already secured funding from Switzerland-based offshore pipeline company Allseas Group.
Why is the loss of microbes important?
The loss of microbes important for storing carbon. A significant loss of biodiversity. Permanent destruction of our ocean ecosystems. Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped the corporations and governments set on exploiting our vulnerable natural resources for profit.
Which country has an exploration license?
The Government of the Republic of Poland: Last year, the ISA granted Poland an exploration license in an area highlighted by Unesco for exploring polymetallic nodule areas and polymetallic sulfide areas.
Who is the largest diamond producer in the world?
De Beers Group: The world’s largest diamond producer is conducting their own deep sea mining—not for polymetallic nodules, seafloor massive sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts, but for diamonds. They currently operate the largest underwater mining fleet of ships in the world, which travel across the West African seabed, ...
Abstract
Airlifting technology utilized in deep-sea mining (DSM) industry was proposed in the 70s of last century, which was triggered by the discovery of vast amounts of mineral resources on the seabed.
1. Introduction
In the DSM industry, airlifting is one of the most widely researched technologies equipped with the corresponding facilities, e.g., collecting machine (CM) [ 1 ]. Airlifting uses compressed gas to lift the liquid-gas or solid-liquid-gas multiphase flow [ 2 ].
2. Theoretical Analysis
The schematic diagram of airlifting is shown in Figure 1 [ 6 ]. The airlifting pipe system consists of a solid-liquid two-phase flow happened between gas inlet and seabed, and a solid-liquid-gas three-phase flow happened between pipe outlet and gas inlet as shown in Figure 1.
4. Conclusions
The research in this paper focuses on technological feasibility and profitability analyses of DSM projects utilizing airlifting technology. The conclusions are as follows:
Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the China Scholarship Council under grant 201506950007. Additionally, I appreciate the generous helps from Irwin Liang and three anonymous reviewers for editing and reviewing my manuscript.
Author Contributions
Wenbin Ma, Cees van Rhee and Dingena Schott worked together to analyze the technological and profitable analysis of airlifting in deep sea mining systems and approved the manuscript.
Overview
Laws and regulations
The international law–based regulations on deep sea mining are contained in the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea from 1973 to 1982, which came into force in 1994. The convention set up the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which regulates nations’ deep sea mining ventures outside each nations’ Exclusive Economic Zone (a 200-nautical-mile (370 km) area surrounding coastal nations). The ISA requires nations interested in mining to explore two equal …
Mining sites
Deep sea mining is a relatively new mineral retrieval process undergoing research which takes place on the ocean floor. Ocean mining sites are usually around large areas of polymetallic nodules or active and extinct hydrothermal vents at about 3,000 – 6,500 meters below the ocean's surface. The vents create sulfide deposits, which contain precious metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc. The deposits are mined using either hydraulic pumps or bu…
Types of minerals
Seabed minerals are mostly located between 1 and 6 km beneath the ocean surface and comprise three main types:
• Polymetallic or Manganese nodules are found between 4 and 6 km beneath the sea surface, largely within abyssal plain environments. Manganese and related hydroxides precipitate from ocean water or sediment-pore water around a nucl…
Deep sea mining efforts
Over the past decade, a new phase of deep-sea mining has begun. Rising demand for precious metals in Japan, China, Korea and India has pushed these countries in search of new sources. Interest has recently shifted toward hydrothermal vents as the source of metals instead of scattered nodules. The trend of transition towards an electricity-based information and transportation infrastructure currently seen in western societies further pushes demands for pre…
Extraction methods
Each of the different deep sea mining resource will involve different technology.
New robotics and AI solutions are in development to minimize the environment damage and improve the economics.
Recent technological advancements have given rise to the use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to collect mineral samples from prospective mine sites. Using drills and other cutting tools, the …
Environmental impacts
As with all mining operations, deep sea mining raises questions about potential environmental damages to the surrounding areas. Because deep sea mining is a relatively new field, the complete consequences of full-scale mining operations are under investigation.
Newer technology which is being developed has the potential to avoid sediment plumes and use selective pick up technology. Selective pickup avoids picking up any nodules which contain life a…
Controversy
An article in the Harvard Environmental Law Review in April 2018 argued that "the 'new global gold rush' of deep sea mining shares many features with past resource scrambles – including a general disregard for environmental and social impacts, and the marginalisation of indigenous peoples and their rights". The Foreshore and Seabed Act (2004) ignited fierce indigenous opposition in New Zealand, as its claiming of the seabed for the Crown in order to open it up to …