86
Y. Fouquet
Industrial Interest and Geopolitical Challenges
The inventoried deposits are at different stages in terms of scientific knowledge.
Given that only a small percentage of the deep sea has been explored, scientific
investigations must be continued in order to improve our understanding of geological, chemical and biological processes governing the formation, size and diversity
of mineral deposits. Another aspect concerns impact studies. The definition of a
biological reference condition, which aims to understand the impact of possible
exploitation on deep-sea biological activity, constitutes an important stage in the
arrival of industry in the deep sea. Active hydrothermal sites should not be considered as potential mining sites due to the temperature (400 °C) and acidity of fluids
circulating at these sites. The development of methodologies to locate and assess
inactive mature deposits (whose growth is now complete) is a challenge to be met.
In terms of metals, the European economy is largely dependent, often by over
90 %, on imports. Ocean mineral resources therefore represent interesting assets
for Europe from a point of view of its raw materials supply. A single country will
not be able to conduct all the necessary research. Europe will need to determine its
geopolitical stance in relation to other major regions of the world and fund research
in international waters, rather than restricting its efforts, as is currently the case, to
its own economic waters. This is a major challenge if Europe is to retain its global
leading position from a scientific and technological point of view and be in the running for the economic opportunities these resources represent.
Over the past few years, the mining industry has begun taking an interest in
hydrothermal mineral deposits. Mining permits were granted in 2010 and 2011 for
hydrothermal fields in the Red Sea and Papua New Guinea, located respectively at
depths of 2,000 and 1,700 m. More recently, in July 2011, the ISA approved four
new exploration applications in international waters. Two of these approvals were
for nodules in the Pacific. The other two were granted, for the first time, for the
exploration of hydrothermal sulphides in the Atlantic Ocean to Russia and in the
Indian Ocean to China.
Y. Fouquet
Industrial Interest and Geopolitical Challenges
The inventoried deposits are at different stages in terms of scientific knowledge.
Given that only a small percentage of the deep sea has been explored, scientific
investigations must be continued in order to improve our understanding of geological, chemical and biological processes governing the formation, size and diversity
of mineral deposits. Another aspect concerns impact studies. The definition of a
biological reference condition, which aims to understand the impact of possible
exploitation on deep-sea biological activity, constitutes an important stage in the
arrival of industry in the deep sea. Active hydrothermal sites should not be considered as potential mining sites due to the temperature (400 °C) and acidity of fluids
circulating at these sites. The development of methodologies to locate and assess
inactive mature deposits (whose growth is now complete) is a challenge to be met.
In terms of metals, the European economy is largely dependent, often by over
90 %, on imports. Ocean mineral resources therefore represent interesting assets
for Europe from a point of view of its raw materials supply. A single country will
not be able to conduct all the necessary research. Europe will need to determine its
geopolitical stance in relation to other major regions of the world and fund research
in international waters, rather than restricting its efforts, as is currently the case, to
its own economic waters. This is a major challenge if Europe is to retain its global
leading position from a scientific and technological point of view and be in the running for the economic opportunities these resources represent.
Over the past few years, the mining industry has begun taking an interest in
hydrothermal mineral deposits. Mining permits were granted in 2010 and 2011 for
hydrothermal fields in the Red Sea and Papua New Guinea, located respectively at
depths of 2,000 and 1,700 m. More recently, in July 2011, the ISA approved four
new exploration applications in international waters. Two of these approvals were
for nodules in the Pacific. The other two were granted, for the first time, for the
exploration of hydrothermal sulphides in the Atlantic Ocean to Russia and in the
Indian Ocean to China.