Ocean Minerals: The Bureau of Mines Role in Mining and Resources Recovery

Bureau of Mines research groups have had a long and active involvement with ocean-floor resources, ranging from work on recovery technology for manganese nodules to recent studies aimed at extracting metals from polymetallic sulfides from the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Highlights of these activities are presented. Also discussed are the current research capabilities of the Bureau, and its probable role in the future for contributing to a better understanding of the resource potential of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.