Are modern seafloor massive sulfide deposits a possible resource for mankind: Lessons learned from shallow drilling operations

Massive sulfide deposits from the modern seafloor are often seen as a potential metal resource for humankind. With the existing geochemical database and lacking information on the third dimension for most deposits it seems premature to comment on the economic significance of seafloor massive sulfides. Published geochemical analyses of sulfide samples indicate that some deposits may contain important metal concentrations, however, the data on surface grab samples from these deposits may not relate to the true metal content of these deposits. Results from recent shallow drilling of various hydrothermal systems presented here highlight the importance of seafloor drilling to validate grades and tonnages of seafloor massive sulfides.