Journal
ELEMENTS
Volume 14, Issue 5, Pages 301-306Publisher
MINERALOGICAL SOC AMER
DOI: 10.2138/gselements.14.5.301
Keywords
ocean floor; mineral deposits; ferromanganese nodules; Fe-Mn crusts; sulfides; metals; resources; International Seabed Authority
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Funding
- NERC [NE/M011151/1, bgs05010, NE/M011186/1, noc010011, NE/I01442X/1, NE/R000123/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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Deep-ocean mineral deposits could make a significant contribution to future raw material supply. Growing metal demand and geopolitics are focussing increasing attention on their resource potential and economic importance. However, accurate assessment of the total amounts of metal and its recoverability are very difficult. Deep-ocean mineral deposits also provide valuable windows through which to study the Earth, including the evolution of seawater and insights into the exchange of heat and chemicals between the crust and the oceans. Exploration for, and potential extraction of, deep-ocean mineral deposits poses many geological, technical, environmental and economic challenges, as well as regulatory and philosophical questions. Great uncertainty exists, and the development and stewardship of these deposits requires an incremental approach, encouraging transparency and scientific and civil societal input to balance the interests of all.
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