36
Y. Fouquet and D. Lacroix
Search for Strategic Metals in Existing Collections
Rare metals have not always been detected in samples collected over the past decades. A major analysis effort will need to be made on existing collections, in order
to determine fluctuations in concentrations of rare elements and to understand concentration processes in the richest samples. However, the knowledge gained shows
that several rare metals are concentrated in oceanic mineral deposits. In the case of
hydrothermal sulphides for instance, minor elements are found alongside the main
metals. These sites, whose locations are known, could be considered to be strategic
reserves for base elements and certain rare metals, if significant enrichment is confirmed by such studies.
Reinforced French Presence at the ISA
The aim is to boost French research in international waters with associated measures encompassing the maintenance of nodule licenses and, moreover, an active
presence within the ISA. To do so, greater participation, at a high level of expertise,
is required in the Legal and Technical Commission which will address questions of
governance, especially in terms of environmental governance, marine areas to be
protected and contract monitoring.
Submission of an Exclusive Exploration Application for Sulphide Deposits
An exclusive exploration application needs to be made to the ISA as soon as possible. This application may be based on a public/private partnership with the possibility of sponsorship by a single State (France) or several States, whether European
or not. In this regard, specialists must therefore discuss the selection of areas with
the highest potential relatively soon.
Contributing to a European Strategy
(intergovernmental organisation on strategic metals)
Given its strong position in terms of scientific expertise and technological skills,
France should play a major, if not leading, role in the development of a European
strategy, by proposing for instance an intergovernmental organisation on strategic
metals, by drawing upon initiatives in progress, whether bilateral (German-French
Association for Science and Technology, notably with BGR in Hanover) or within
the framework of the G3: IFM-Geomar in Kiel, the National Oceanography Centre
(NOC) in Southampton, and Ifremer. Training aspects on a European scale should
also be taken into consideration in order to maintain research and development and
technological implementation capacities in this field.
Y. Fouquet and D. Lacroix
Search for Strategic Metals in Existing Collections
Rare metals have not always been detected in samples collected over the past decades. A major analysis effort will need to be made on existing collections, in order
to determine fluctuations in concentrations of rare elements and to understand concentration processes in the richest samples. However, the knowledge gained shows
that several rare metals are concentrated in oceanic mineral deposits. In the case of
hydrothermal sulphides for instance, minor elements are found alongside the main
metals. These sites, whose locations are known, could be considered to be strategic
reserves for base elements and certain rare metals, if significant enrichment is confirmed by such studies.
Reinforced French Presence at the ISA
The aim is to boost French research in international waters with associated measures encompassing the maintenance of nodule licenses and, moreover, an active
presence within the ISA. To do so, greater participation, at a high level of expertise,
is required in the Legal and Technical Commission which will address questions of
governance, especially in terms of environmental governance, marine areas to be
protected and contract monitoring.
Submission of an Exclusive Exploration Application for Sulphide Deposits
An exclusive exploration application needs to be made to the ISA as soon as possible. This application may be based on a public/private partnership with the possibility of sponsorship by a single State (France) or several States, whether European
or not. In this regard, specialists must therefore discuss the selection of areas with
the highest potential relatively soon.
Contributing to a European Strategy
(intergovernmental organisation on strategic metals)
Given its strong position in terms of scientific expertise and technological skills,
France should play a major, if not leading, role in the development of a European
strategy, by proposing for instance an intergovernmental organisation on strategic
metals, by drawing upon initiatives in progress, whether bilateral (German-French
Association for Science and Technology, notably with BGR in Hanover) or within
the framework of the G3: IFM-Geomar in Kiel, the National Oceanography Centre
(NOC) in Southampton, and Ifremer. Training aspects on a European scale should
also be taken into consideration in order to maintain research and development and
technological implementation capacities in this field.