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By Richard H. T. Garnett

The Chilean part of the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, situated south of latitude 62o S, is within that country?s Región de Magallanes y Antártica, and separated from the remainder of Chile by the Magellan Strait. In recent geological history several phases of Quaternary age glaciers originating in the Andean and Dawinian Cordilleras eroded assumed primary gold deposits and entrained their related alluvial deposits. Piedmont glaciation extended to the east and south over m0st of the land and beyond the present-day coastline into extensive areas exposed during the resulting lowered relative sea level. During interglacials particulate gold incorporated unevenly in the widespread drift, till and moraines was fluvially released and concentrated into streams and flood gravels. Coastal erosion enriched various beaches with gold. From 1868 onwards Tierra del Fuego hosted a major gold rush whereby early, labour intensive, beach mining eventually developed into inland dredging. But continued mining activity was interrupted and then terminated by several external factors. Most miners, always seeking ?greener pastures?, joined the rush to the new discoveries in the Klondike (1896) and Nome, Alaska (1899). In 1904 the international boundary, established in 1881, became the subject of a major dispute not settled until 1984, The Panama canal?s opening in 1914 turned Tierra del Fuego, previously on the Pacific-Atlantic shipping route, into a remote backwater. World War II brought opposing foreign naval forces to the actual islands where most gold had been taken from the beaches. It also crippled the dredging industry which lost its coal supply and never recovered. Nevertheless, some small scale mining continues to this day.

Sep 14, 2011

By Laurie Meyer

The need for improved, high confidence estimates of nodule abundance to support mine permitting, detailed mine planning and mining and processing equipment design is evident. To date, physical samples represent the ?Gold Standard? for nodule abundance measurement, and are likely to remain as such. However, there are some interesting improvements in the area of 3-D scanning which, if marinized for operations at 6000m, may prove to be reliable alternative methods for mapping abundance over large areas particularly if calibrated or benchmarked with physical sample data. . Features of a high confidence physical sampling device, such as the 0.75m2 (0.86m on a side) box corer developed and successfully used by the Kennecott Group for exploration in the CCZ, take into account not only the accuracy in nodule sample collection but a host of other operability considerations which can mean the difference between a successful exploration cruise yielding high numbers of large area samples and one in which few, inaccurate, often inconclusive samples are collected (or, even worse, the sampler fails to grab any nodules for any number of reasons). The collection of physical samples at appropriate spacing within a mine area combined with more qualitative indications of nodule density such as can be obtained using acoustic backscatter should prove adequate for the near term objectives related to overall abundance appraisal or estimates of ?indicated? resource. Looking ahead, exploration cruises will need to yield increasing amounts of data to support development of higher confidence resource abundance estimates to support issuance of mining permits and detailed design of mining plans and equipment. It is likely

Sep 14, 2011

By S. Kim Juniper

Ocean observatory technologies permit uninterrupted, real-time observation of dynamic seafloor environments such as gas hydrate deposits and hydrothermal vent fields that are of both scientific and economic interest. Such observations enable new discoveries of linkages between physical, chemical and biological processes and could permit continuous monitoring of environmental variables during mining operations. Ocean Networks Canada operates the NEPTUNE and VENUS cabled observatories in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. The offshore NEPTUNE observatory supports instruments at two gas hydrate sites on the continental margin off Vancouver Island, and in the hydrothermal vent fields of the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The primary focus of the gas hydrate field observations is to understand the dynamics of the growth and stability of outcropping and sub-seafloor hydrate deposits. Outcropping hydrates at 840 m depth in Barkley Canyon have been monitored for the past 3 years with a mobile instrument platform known as Wally, which is operated over the Internet by a research group in Germany. This tracked vehicle carries standard oceanographic sensors, acoustic current metres, cameras and methane sensors. Data indicate a relationship between degassing of hydrates and tidal currents. In 2012-2013 two high-resolution sonar towers were added to the hydrate field to provide precision tracking of Wally and to monitor volume changes in the outcropping hydrate mounds. A large subsurface hydrate deposit occurs at the Clayoquot Slope site, where bottom depth is 1260 metres. Monitoring instrumentation is currently being established at this location. Gas bubble release from this deposit is being monitored by a sector scanning sonar mounted on a

Sep 14, 2011

By Francois P. Leroy

In the quest of studying the assigned blocks of seafloor for deep water mining, each member country of the ISA is thirsty for accurate information as to the level of resources available. Manganese nodules represent a large portion of the resources and are as precious as they are hard to locate and harvest. Resolving such challenges is what drives the technology development and yields instruments and products capable of serving this field of research. This presentation will study how manufactures of oceanographic instruments have pushed the technology envelop to in order to transform a collection of sensors and instruments into a seamless and adapted assembly working to serve the researcher and prospector in the challenging field they operate. Deep water data collection is characterized by the following challenges: ? Deployment, recovery and handling of the vehicle ? Producing high resolution at great distances ? Positioning that data with accuracy to relocate Teledyne Marine will present the work performed in its engineering laboratories to produce sub systems and systems now capable of delivering key information necessary to the proper cataloguing and exploitation of deep water mineral mining. Understanding and controlling the alternative resources available to each country will allow better management of current traditional land based minerals.

Jan 1, 2010

By Elisabetta Tedeschi, Razieh Nejati Fard

Deep-sea mining is in the future perspective of mining industry and it is currently in the technological development phase. The focus of this study is on the electrical power system that provides sufficient energy for the mining equipment at the seafloor, excavating Seafloor Massive Sulfide (SMS) deposits. SMS deposits usually exist at water depths between 1500 m and 4000 m. Despite the similarities of SMS deposits excavation to the open-pit terrestrial mines, more energy is required to drill and crush the ores in the hyperbaric conditions [1], which can be done whether by static trench cutters [1] or by mobile mining crawlers [2]. In addition, the ores vertical transportation by subsea pumps requires several MW electrical power that can be supplied by all-electric subsea motors or hydraulically from water injection motors located on the surface. The power requirements can be fulfilled by an offshore or subsea power network. As the SMS mines are usually in remote locations, the straightforward solution will be an isolated offshore grid mounted on a vessel or platform similar to the most of offshore Oil & Gas projects. These power systems resemble the onshore microgrids for industrial purposes operating in island mode. However, in contrast with the onshore power networks, there are space and weight limitations in offshore infrastructures, which impose the design compactness to be a priority. In addition, having a very high reliability is necessary in the design approach of the offshore projects due to the extraordinary high expenses corresponding to repair and maintenance. The other design criterion is to improve the power system efficiency in order to reduce the size of the power equipment cooling apparatus, operational costs and CO2 emissions produced by diesel/LNG onboard generators. There are a few studies considering power system distribution for seafloor mining industry. Among them, [3] has investigated the AC and DC alternatives for SMS mining in 2400 m water depth by considering Solwara 1 project scenario introduced by Nautilus Minerals Inc. [2]. In this study, a power system design tool will be presented taking into account various water depth, power consumption levels, different distribution configurations (AC and DC) and the aforementioned design criteria.

Jan 1, 2018

By Jonguk Kim

Texture and geochemical composition of hydrogenous ferromanganese crust from relatively adjacent three seamounts (OSM2 at 157°35'E, 13°55'N, Lomilik at 161°37'E, 11°42'N and Lemkein at 165°05'E, 9°18'N) near the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific (Figure 1) were investigated in order to elucidate their growth history. These seamounts, located in different latitudes, are along a line that is parallel with the direction of Pacific plate movement. Thick crusts commonly have three or four distinct layers (Figure 2): (1) layer 1, uppermost layer, is black, dense, and has a botryoidal, columnar, or laminated texture; (2) layer 2, overlain by layer 1, is Fe-stained, porous to vuggy and filled with sediment; (3) layer 3, phosphatized layer, is black, massive, dense, and impregnated by CFA, (4) layer 4 shows parallel to undulatory laminated texture and cut by CFA-filled veins. Layer 1 and 2, unphosphatized young layer, are observed in crust samples collected from all seamounts. However, lower part of the crust shows different textures in different seamounts. Both layer 3 and 4 are found in thick crust from OSM2 but layer 4 is absent in crust samples from Lemkein and Lomilik. All the uppermost layers (layer 1) from three seamounts have similar textural and geochemical characteristics. Layer 2 is overlain by layer 1, is porous, partly Fe-stained, and sediment-infilled. In previous studies, layers 1 and 2 have grown in different oceanic environment. Textural and geochemical properties show that layer 1 has grown under relatively higher bottom water activity and lower productive environment than layer 2. Carbonate and detrital materials in layer 1 are not abundant compared to layer 2. Layer 2 can be assumed to have grown under equatorial high productivity zone (EHPZ) while layer 1 has started to grow when the seamount left from the EHPZ.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. S. Cronan

Mineral exploration problems in the S.W. Pacific are not unique to that region, but a combination of favourable circumstances render it an ideal area to attempt to solve such problems. The land area of the S.W. Pacific island nations is only a fraction of the total sea area they can claim under current International Law. Hence, they have a great need to explore and evaluate their offshore areas. For the past ten years the focus of this work has been CCOP/SOPAC which has individually and jointly with other groups initiated and maintained far reaching marine mineral exploration programmes. In association with CCOP/SOPAC the writer has obtained and analysed approximately 650 sediment samples from the S.W. Pacific region for seventeen elements. Multivariate statistical techniques have been applied to the data set. The aim has been to identify chemically anomalous sediments reflecting either sea floor mineralisation and/or mineralisation on adjacent land areas.

Jan 1, 1985

By William J. Scott

In the last two years, C-CORE has developed a new seabed sampler directed specifically at obtaining samples from hard or compacted bottoms such as are typical of marine placer deposits. Samples are required for appraisal of concentrations of saleable commodities, and for determination of levels of biological indicators in the deposits. Recently C-CORE and the University of Victoria have been comparing the performance of the Scott/C-CORE sampler with that of the Van Veen sampler often used for biological sampling. Initial trials of the Scott/C-CORE sampler in 1992 at the WestGold mining site, Nome, Alaska, were described by Jewitt et al. at the 1993 UMI. Since that time the sampler has been modified to prevent overfilling, and to limit turbulent flow of water across the top of the sampler buckets when the sampler is recovered with partly-open buckets. The modifications included shoes to prevent sampler overfill, and flexible rubber shielding over top and sides of the sampler to prevent water circulation. Samples have been taken with both samplers in two field areas, one at Pine Cove, Baie Verte, Newfoundland, and the other near Long Pond in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland. In each area multiple samples were taken with both sampler types, and the samples processed immediately to establish the types and quantities of marine organisms that were present. Species identification is expected to be complete by late August.

Jan 1, 1994

By William J. Scott

In the last two years, C-CORE has developed a new seabed sampler directed specifically at obtaining samples from hard or compacted bottoms such as are typical of marine placer deposits. Samples are required for appraisal of concentrations of saleable commodities, and for determination of levels of biological indicators in the deposits. Recently C-CORE and the University of Victoria have been comparing the performance of the Scott/C-CORE sampler with that of the Van Veen sampler often used for biological sampling. Initial trials of the Scott/C-CORE sampler in 1992 at the WestGold mining site, Nome, Alaska, were described by Jewitt et al. at the 1993 UMI. Since that time the sampler has been modified to prevent overfilling, and to limit turbulent flow of water across the top of the sampler buckets when the sampler is recovered with partly-open buckets. The modifications included shoes to prevent sampler overfill, and flexible rubber shielding over top and sides of the sampler to prevent water circulation. Samples have been taken with both samplers in two field areas, one at Pine Cove, Baie Verte, Newfoundland, and the other near Long Pond in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland. In each area multiple samples were taken with both sampler types, and the samples processed immediately to establish the types and quantities of marine organisms that were present. Species identification is expected to be complete by late August.

Jan 1, 1994

By Chris Castle

The Chatham Rise is a submarine topographic feature lying off the east coast of New Zealand between the South Island and the Chatham Islands and within New Zealand?s jurisdiction. The Chatham Rise hosts economically significant deposits of rock phosphate and other potentially valuable minerals. The deposits comprise nodules lying on, or just below the surface of the seabed in shallow waters. Rock phosphate is an essential ingredient of fertilizer and can be applied directly to pasture. There is a realistic opportunity the phosphate deposits could supply New Zealand?s agricultural requirements for an estimated 30-year period at current rates of consumption.

Jan 1, 2011

By Eric J. Foell

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) was founded in 1969 when a group of scientific and technical societies organized an annual conference and exhibition dedicated to technologies used in the offshore oil, gas and mining industries. Currently, OTC is sponsored by 12 industry organizations and societies. These include: American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG); American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME); American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); ASME International Petroleum Technology Institute; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers/Oceanic Society (IEEE-OES); Marine Technology Society (MTS); Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG); Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME); Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME); Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE); and The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS). OTC also has two endorsing organizations, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) and the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association (PESA), as well as 6 supporting organizations that include the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology (IMEST), the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), and the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA). From its earliest years, the OTC has been held during the first week of May in Houston, TX, initially at the Albert Thomas Convention Center where OTC?69 drew 4200 attendees and 200 exhibitors. As the conference grew and became established as the world?s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection, the venue was changed to the Astrodomain Complex, with technical paper sessions and most exhibits taking place in the Astro Hall. The numbers of attendees and exhibitors varied somewhat over the years, primarily in accordance with the fortunes of the international oil and gas industry. At its height in the early 1980s, OTC registered attendance exceeded 100,000 with more than 2500 exhibitors forcing expansion into the Astro Arena and even the Astrodome.

Jan 1, 2005

By Yannick C. Beaudoin

Southern Explorer Ridge (SER) is an anomalously shallow, intermediate-rate spreading ridge located 200 kilometers off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. It ranges in depth between 2600 m (deepest basins) and 1760 m (bathymetric minimum). At least 60 sulfide deposits are known to be associated with hydrothermal vent fields along the ridge. For the first time geological data, including deposit locations, collected from 15 marine expeditions to SER since 1983 have been assembled in a GIS format. GIS processing techniques were employed to plot the distribution of base metal concentrations for recovered sulfide samples. The highest base metal concentrations are found in the vicinity of the Magic Mountain site (main active vent field), and also proximal to a side scan sonar anomaly referred to as AGOR 171. Individual samples near these locations have yielded values as high as 29.3 wt\% Cu, 34.3 wt\% zinc, 0.97 wt\% Pb, 2.0 ppm gold, and 664 ppm silver. Sample paucity is the key limiting factor that prevents adequate assessment of the areas economic potential.

Jan 1, 2001

By Takafumi Kasaya, Katz Suzuki, Yoshifumi Kawada

"INTRODUCTIONThe area beneath the seafloor preserves valuable resources that are inevitable to sustain our industrial society. Hydrocarbon resources such as petroleum and natural gases are one of the representative examples, which have been mined over a century (Brandt et al. 1998). In addition, submarine resources such as methane hydrates, ferromanganese crusts, and metal deposits of hydrothermal origin have long been known (Rona 2003; Kvenvolden and Rogers 2005), although methods of their mining have not yet been developed. All of these resources are distributed heterogeneously, and various exploration techniques have been developed and examined. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is conducting a project on the development of exploration methods of these unexploited resources (Urabe et al. 2015; also see http://www.jamstec.go.jp/sip/images/pamphlet_e.pdf). The present study particularly focuses on our attempt on the developing an exploration method of hydrothermal ore deposits.Seafloor hydrothermal ore deposits are associated with submarine volcanoes of mid-ocean ridges, hot spots, and island arcs, and back arcs (Hannington et al. 2010). Active hydrothermal systems discharging high-temperature fluids can be detected above the seafloor as anomalies of temperature, turbidity, and acoustic impedance (e.g. Kasaya et al. 2015). However, because of the temperature limitation of mining (Boschen et al. 2013), the target of mining may be extinct and probably buried. To explore buried hydrothermal ore deposits from the vast seafloor area, geophysical surveys that can obtain information below the seafloor must be required. Several techniques including magnetic, electrical, and gravitational methods have been developed (e.g. Jones 1999; Kowalczyk 2008). Although physical properties taken by these methods are sensitive to the presence of hydrothermal deposits, difficulties are sometimes encountered. For example, anomalies of magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity, which characterize the presence of ore deposits, may be found above non-hydrothermal bodies such as volcanic bodies and reservoirs of hydrothermal fluids (e.g. Honsho et al. 2016). Thus, combinations of multiple methods must be used to specify the existence of buried hydrothermal ore deposits"

Jan 1, 2017

By Andrea Koschinsky

Ferromanganese crusts have traditionally been considered a potential ore for Co, whereas ferromanganese nodules have typically been considered a potential ore for Ni and Cu. However, both nodules and crusts sequester high concentrations of many metals (Table 1) from sediment pore waters and seawater, many of which are essential for high-tech applications. The resource potential of these rare and valuable metals is poorly known and they are the subject of considerable current research. The need for adequate and dependable supplies of these metals is essential for the development of new technologies. The rare-earth elements have recently received much attention in the scientific and popular press because of their use in so many high-tech applications and because more than 95% of the production comes from China (e.g., Service 2010); consequently, there is concern about the possibility of a significant decrease or even curtailment in exports from China. The lack of a primary source and the inadequate supply of Te have prohibited the development of a Cd-Te photovoltaic solar-cell industry (Hein et al. 2010). Inadequate supplies of many of the elements listed in Table 1 are limiting the development of key high-tech industries, forcing the use of alternative metals that [ ] may result in less efficiency or less favorable properties for a product. The rare-earth elements, Te, and other elements listed in Table 1 occur in high abundances in marine hydrogenetic and diagenetic ferromanganese deposits. Here, we look at the mechanisms by which these rare and valuable metals are incorporated into different genetic types of marine ferromanganese deposits.

Jan 1, 2010

By Sven Petersen, Iain J. Stobbs, Bramley J. Murton, Paul A. J. Lusty

"INTRODUCTIONIt is widely thought that seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) deposits, the modern analogue of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, present a potential global resource for base (Cu, Zn) and precious metals (Au, Ag). In addition, SMS deposits can be enriched in ‘critical metals’ including Se, Te, Tl [1], which are essential for use in the construction of modern and green technologies. Globally over 340 high temperature hydrothermal sites have been identified at a range of ocean spreading centres [2], significant massive sulphide deposit formation has been recorded at 165 of these sites [3].To date only 13 deep sea sulphide deposits have undergone intrusive investigation (drilling or coring) and of these, only 6 sites have published tonnage estimates [2]. Almost all research and drilling of SMS deposits has been focused on active systems, the investigation of the morphology, subsurface structure and mineralogy of hydrothermally extinct seafloor massive sulphide (eSMS) deposits is almost non-existent.As such, little is known about the mechanisms that operate post-SMS formation and which have an impact on the preservation and hence resource value of SMS. Identifying these generic processes and mechanisms, and the extent to which they impact the resource grade, is critical in evaluating the global potential of SMS."

Jan 1, 2017

By Renee Grogan

"An environmental impact assessment (EIA) of a deep sea mining project typically describes the environmental baseline, impacts of the project to the environmental values, and proposed management techniques. Comprehensive EIAs also consider the impact of the mining project on existing industries, including deep sea fishing. However, few projects to date have included other industries in the EIA process in more than a cursory manner, due to the confidentiality of the process, conflicting priorities, and bureaucratic limitation. However, if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goal 17: Collaboration) are to be achieved, a new way of thinking will be necessary for deep sea mining projects, starting with collaboration at the very beginning of the project life cycle.STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATIONThis presentation will be in the format of an oral (20 minute presentation).The presentation will cover the process of inter-industry collaboration throughout the life cycle of a deep sea mining project, drawing on historical and existing examples, including that of the Chatham Rock Phosphate Project in New Zealand."

Jan 1, 2017

By Richard Harrison, Frank Lim

Deepsea Mining will soon become a reality with Nautilus Minerals getting their equipment ready to mine SMS at Solwara 1 off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The vertical transport system (VTS) adopted by Nautilus consists of a riser hanging ‘freely’ from the mining production vessel with a lifting pump unit suspended at its lower end. A compliant jumper connects the pump to the seabed crawler without restraining its movements. In this free-hanging VTS arrangement, the vessel can be re-positioned to follow the crawler should it want to extend the mining area and start stretching the jumper. A recently proposed alternative to this is a free-standing VTS whereby the riser is grounded on the seabed with a base and maintained in an upright position by distributed buoyancy modules or a buoyancy tank at the top. A compliant jumper connects the seabed crawler to the riser base, and another connects the riser top to the vessel. In this free-standing arrangement, the entire VTS can be lifted clear of the seabed for relocation to a new mining area. This paper will describe the important features of the two options and discuss the advantages and disadvantages in respect of riser dynamic behavior, water depth, weather and mining windows, pump maintenance, installation and retrieval, continency measures, etc. The two systems will also be appraised separately for mining SMS and SMnN deposits.

Jan 1, 2018

By Georgy Cherkashov, Livia Ermakova

Active development of the exploration and further exploitation of deep-sea minerals requires special emphasis on the protection of the marine environment. The complexity of this subject lies in the fact that potential impact and effects of future mining activity are not completely known. One of the main sources of potential impact near the seafloor, as it expected, would be a generation of sediment plumes, their dispersion and redeposition of sediment. Meanwhile, their dimensions, rates of dispersion and redeposition are a big issue. Other plumes are expected in the surface layer as a result of discharges of processing waters and particles after sorting on board of mining vessel, and their features are also not clear. At the same time, understanding of these aspects would be crucial for definition of environment impact area, delineation and designation of different types of protected areas (Areas of Particular Environmental Interest, Impact and Preservation Reference Zones) and future assessment of environmental impacts. Attempts to address these issues demonstrated wide variations between the data of field experiments on the one hand and the results of analytical and numerical models on the other. According to in situ measurements, plumes were detected at a distance vary from one to less than 20 km [e.g., Burns et al., 1980; Sharma et al., 2001; Nautilus Minerals, 2008 etc.], whilst some models show results up to 100 km [Rolinski S. et al., 2001] and more. It seemed that results of in-situ experiments are preferable, but they were not many indeed. However, these data were used in different investigations rather widely, but their focus, as far as we know, was not on the matters related directly with plumes.

Jan 1, 2018

By N. R. Ayupova

Several metallogenic zones including Sakmara, Magnitogorsk, and East-Ural zones were revealed in the Ural fold belt (Fig. 1). These zones are considered to be the paleogeodinamic sectors corresponding to marginal sea, island arc system, and uplift respectively. Ferruginous-manganiferous sediments in the Southern Urals are hosted by the basalt-rich volcano-sedimentary series of the Magnitogorsk paleoisland arc system with West- and East Magnitogorsk island arcs and Sibai inter-arc basin. The manganiferous mineralization occurs in association with the Middle Devonian stratabound hematite-quartz rocks and bedded red jaspers localized on the foot or handing walls of massive sulfide deposits. Fe-Mn nodules are widespread in jasper horizons on the flanks of manganese deposits. We have studied Fe-Mn nodules from the Faizulino and Yanzigitovo Mn-deposits formed in the Sibai inter-arc basin and compared them with well known Fe-Mn nodules from modern oceans.

Jan 1, 2010

By Tetsuo Yamazaki

The Kuroko-type seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) in the western Pacific have received much attention as sources for economic recovery of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). Since the end of the 1980s, the Kuroko-type SMS have been found in the back-arc basins and on oceanic island-arc areas. In Okinawa Trough (Halbach et al., 1989) and on the Izu-Ogasawara Arc (Iizasa et al., 1999) are the typical representatives in the Japan’s EEZ. They yield a higher concentration in Au and Ag than the SMS found in ocean ridge areas (Rona, 1985). Similar formation processes with the Kuroko ore deposits on-land in Japan have been expected and outlined by many researchers (Sillitoe, 1982; Scott, 1985). The higher Au and Ag contents have increased the chances for profitable mining operation, which is under consideration by a private company (Malnic, 2001). Information about the resource potential of the targeted Kuroko-type SMS deposit, such as the amount of SMS ore body, the inside structure, the mean metal yields, and the geographical details are necessary for a technical and economic validation analysis for the development. The Sunrise Deposit of Myojin Knoll on Izu-Ogasawara Arc in the Japan’s EEZ is selected as a target for the technical and economic validation analysis. The relatively higher amount of information on its resource potential is the reason why the deposit is selected.

Sep 24, 2006