Hidden depths
An overview is presented of the current global status of deep-sea mining. Manganese nodules, a source of nickel and cobalt which can additionally contain traces of rare-earth elements, are estimated to have a total abundance on the seafloor of up to trillions of tonnes. In the Cook Islands, for exam...
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| Formato: | Libro electrónico |
| Idioma: | Indeterminado |
| Publicado: |
[Lugar de publicación no identificado] :
[editor no identificado]
2022.
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| Colección: | JSTOR Open Access monographs.
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| Acceso en línea: | Conectar con la versión electrónica |
| Ver en Universidad de Navarra: | https://innopac.unav.es/record=b47044470*spi |
| Sumario: | An overview is presented of the current global status of deep-sea mining. Manganese nodules, a source of nickel and cobalt which can additionally contain traces of rare-earth elements, are estimated to have a total abundance on the seafloor of up to trillions of tonnes. In the Cook Islands, for example, the 2 000 000 km2 exclusive economic zone is estimated to contain 10 000 000 000 t of manganese nodules. Seafloor massive sulphide deposits, the second main source of metals on the seabed, contain copper, silver and gold. At the present time, approximately 7.5% of the global mid-ocean ridge is under exploration for mineral wealth. In July 2014 the United Nations International Seabed Authority issued seven new exploration licences for deep-sea mining and the organisation expects the first permits for exploration to come in the next few years. A total seabed area of 1 200 000 km2 is now licensed under 26 permits for mineral prospecting. Companies active in deep-sea mining originate from countries such as Canada (Nautilus Minerals), UK (UK Seabed Resources), Singapore, Cook Islands, India, Germany, Brazil and Russia. An agreed international framework for conducting exploration and extraction that minimises the impact on the ocean environment will be required in the future. An overview is presented of the current global status of deep-sea mining. Manganese nodules, a source of nickel and cobalt which can additionally contain traces of rare-earth elements, are estimated to have a total abundance on the seafloor of up to trillions of tonnes. In the Cook Islands, for example, the 2 000 000 km2 exclusive economic zone is estimated to contain 10 000 000 000 t of manganese nodules. Seafloor massive sulphide deposits, the second main source of metals on the seabed, contain copper, silver and gold. At the present time, approximately 7.5% of the global mid-ocean ridge is under exploration for mineral wealth. In July 2014 the United Nations International Seabed Authority issued seven new exploration licences for deep-sea mining and the organisation expects the first permits for exploration to come in the next few years. A total seabed area of 1 200 000 km2 is now licensed under 26 permits for mineral prospecting. Companies active in deep-sea mining originate from countries such as Canada (Nautilus Minerals), UK (UK Seabed Resources), Singapore, Cook Islands, India, Germany, Brazil and Russia. An agreed international framework for conducting exploration and extraction that minimises the impact on the ocean environment will be required in the future. |
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| Descripción Física: | 1 recurso electrónico |
| Formato: | Forma de acceso: World Wide Web. |
