13
1 Study Summary
In the deposits studied, the following characteristics were observed:
• Variability in ore composition and concentration; many related metals (e.g. Zn/
Ge) and natural hydrogen, knowledge to be improved for critical metals.
• Variability in deposit size and composition (formation in bunches): from 0.5 to
100 million t.
• Major biological wealth in active areas, but “pinhead” knowledge. Requires improvement for inactive areas.
• Natural hydrogen: scientific study for the quantification and knowledge of geochemical processes.
Elements on Potential Exploitation
The gross value of submarine sulphide deposits is not yet well known, due to a
lack of sufficiently studied reference cases which would provide an initial idea of
the average value of the resource. Based on metal prices on 18th October 2010, the
average value of known resources in the Solwara I deposit was US $ 834 per tonne
and that of the Atlantis II Deep in the Red Sea was US $ 122 per tonne. It is possible
that deposits with higher values may be identified subsequently.
Mining technologies are known for each segment. Extraction processes are under development and validation. The storage, logistics and processing of the ore
are currently being studied. The current Nautilus project (Papua New Guinea EEZ)
should provide many lessons. On a global scale, technology in this field is being led
H
LI
Be
Na Mg
K
TI
Sc
Ca
V
Mn
Co
Cr
Fe
Ni
Ga
Se
Ge
Br
As
Kr
B
O
C
F
N
Ne
He
Zn
Cu
Rb
Zr
Y
Sr
Nb
Tc
Rh
Ag
Mo
Ru
Pd
In
Te
Sn
I
Sb
Xe
AI
S
Si
CI
P
Ar
Cd
Cs
Hf
La
Gd
Ba
Ta
Ce
Tb
Dy
Re
Nd
Er
Ho
Ir
Au
Sm
Yb
W
Pr
Os
Pm
Tm
Pt
TI
Po
Pb
At
Bi
Rn
Hg
Eu
Lu
FR
Rf
Lanthanides
Ac
Cm
Ra
Db
Th
Bk
Cf
Bh
U
Fm
Es
Mt
Rg
Pu
No
Sg
Pa
Hs
Np
Md
Ds
uut
uuh
uuq
uus
uup
uuo
Cn
Am
Lr
associated with copper
associated with zinc
The afnities of minor elements with copper or zinc are speciied.
Fig. 1.5 Metals present in hydrothermal sulphide deposits
1 Study Summary
In the deposits studied, the following characteristics were observed:
• Variability in ore composition and concentration; many related metals (e.g. Zn/
Ge) and natural hydrogen, knowledge to be improved for critical metals.
• Variability in deposit size and composition (formation in bunches): from 0.5 to
100 million t.
• Major biological wealth in active areas, but “pinhead” knowledge. Requires improvement for inactive areas.
• Natural hydrogen: scientific study for the quantification and knowledge of geochemical processes.
Elements on Potential Exploitation
The gross value of submarine sulphide deposits is not yet well known, due to a
lack of sufficiently studied reference cases which would provide an initial idea of
the average value of the resource. Based on metal prices on 18th October 2010, the
average value of known resources in the Solwara I deposit was US $ 834 per tonne
and that of the Atlantis II Deep in the Red Sea was US $ 122 per tonne. It is possible
that deposits with higher values may be identified subsequently.
Mining technologies are known for each segment. Extraction processes are under development and validation. The storage, logistics and processing of the ore
are currently being studied. The current Nautilus project (Papua New Guinea EEZ)
should provide many lessons. On a global scale, technology in this field is being led
H
LI
Be
Na Mg
K
TI
Sc
Ca
V
Mn
Co
Cr
Fe
Ni
Ga
Se
Ge
Br
As
Kr
B
O
C
F
N
Ne
He
Zn
Cu
Rb
Zr
Y
Sr
Nb
Tc
Rh
Ag
Mo
Ru
Pd
In
Te
Sn
I
Sb
Xe
AI
S
Si
CI
P
Ar
Cd
Cs
Hf
La
Gd
Ba
Ta
Ce
Tb
Dy
Re
Nd
Er
Ho
Ir
Au
Sm
Yb
W
Pr
Os
Pm
Tm
Pt
TI
Po
Pb
At
Bi
Rn
Hg
Eu
Lu
FR
Rf
Lanthanides
Ac
Cm
Ra
Db
Th
Bk
Cf
Bh
U
Fm
Es
Mt
Rg
Pu
No
Sg
Pa
Hs
Np
Md
Ds
uut
uuh
uuq
uus
uup
uuo
Cn
Am
Lr
associated with copper
associated with zinc
The afnities of minor elements with copper or zinc are speciied.
Fig. 1.5 Metals present in hydrothermal sulphide deposits