Technological Gaps in Deep Ocean Mining

The need for several minerals found on the deep ocean floor has increased the world´s interest in deep ocean mining. Several large international consortia have been formed and some are currently testing mining systems. The authors examine the incentives for these test programs and report on their status. Limitations, with associated penalties, of current exploration, surveying and resource mapping systems are discussed. Problems associated with the collector-sea floor interface and the ship-dredge system interface are defined. Instrumentation, data collections and transmittal, system control and system evaluation techniques are developed with attention focused on areas where present technology is deficient or difficult/uneconomic to apply. The authors consider the impact and recommendations of several recent investigations in deep ocean mining.