15
1 Study Summary
platinum could prove to be an interesting by-product. Several minor elements such as
rare earths (yttrium, lanthanum, cerium), titanium, thallium, zirconium, tellurium and
molybdenum can be found in high concentrations. Rare earths, platinum and cobalt
tend to be more concentrated in crusts than nodules (ratio of 1–10 for rare earths).
Knowledge of the concentration process and of the location of the richest areas
in rare elements is partial and improved understanding of the geological and chemical parameters governing the formation of the richest accumulations is required.
From a scientific point of view, efforts remain necessary to more fully understand the
rules of distribution, variability in thickness and composition and formation processes.
From an economic point of view, much work remains to be done to assess deposits,
determine the richest and most favourable areas for mining: smooth, flat areas to allow
collection without excess dilution. Such cobalt-rich areas are known in the Tuamotu
Islands where crusts form a flat, continuous surface on indurated sediment formations.
The location of sites and their intrinsic mineral wealth are roughly known. Detailed mapping remains to be performed, as does the inventory, even approximate,
of the biodiversity specific to this type of formation.
Elements on Potential Exploitation
The gross value of ore is relatively high (platinum and cobalt), ranging from $ 500
to 1,300 per tonne (2010). Mining technologies and the related costs are uncertain
for several reasons: no demonstrator, variability in crust thickness (2 cm, 20 cm),
poor knowledge of seabed, extraction difficulties… resulting in a predicted development time of 10–20 years.
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
Lanthanides
Rf
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
Fig. 1.6 Elements accumulated in nodules and hydrogenetic crusts
1 Study Summary
platinum could prove to be an interesting by-product. Several minor elements such as
rare earths (yttrium, lanthanum, cerium), titanium, thallium, zirconium, tellurium and
molybdenum can be found in high concentrations. Rare earths, platinum and cobalt
tend to be more concentrated in crusts than nodules (ratio of 1–10 for rare earths).
Knowledge of the concentration process and of the location of the richest areas
in rare elements is partial and improved understanding of the geological and chemical parameters governing the formation of the richest accumulations is required.
From a scientific point of view, efforts remain necessary to more fully understand the
rules of distribution, variability in thickness and composition and formation processes.
From an economic point of view, much work remains to be done to assess deposits,
determine the richest and most favourable areas for mining: smooth, flat areas to allow
collection without excess dilution. Such cobalt-rich areas are known in the Tuamotu
Islands where crusts form a flat, continuous surface on indurated sediment formations.
The location of sites and their intrinsic mineral wealth are roughly known. Detailed mapping remains to be performed, as does the inventory, even approximate,
of the biodiversity specific to this type of formation.
Elements on Potential Exploitation
The gross value of ore is relatively high (platinum and cobalt), ranging from $ 500
to 1,300 per tonne (2010). Mining technologies and the related costs are uncertain
for several reasons: no demonstrator, variability in crust thickness (2 cm, 20 cm),
poor knowledge of seabed, extraction difficulties… resulting in a predicted development time of 10–20 years.
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
Lanthanides
Rf
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
Fig. 1.6 Elements accumulated in nodules and hydrogenetic crusts