NIRE's Research in Ocean Mining

摘要

A review of current NIRE's research in deep-ocean mining technology is presented. Main targets in the research are manganese nodules and cobalt-rich manganese deposits on the seafloor at 800-6,000m deep. Geotechnical properties of deep-sea sediments and hydraulic lifting characteristics of manganese nodules are clarified in the research. Processing and environmental studies related to the nodule mining are also conducted. For the cobalt-rich manganese deposits, the seafloor distribution characteristics are studied in some locations of the Pacific seamounts, and the physical characteristics and properties of only a fraction of the crust samples are tested.