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By Steven D. Scott

The 1991 PACMANUS Expedition (Papua New Guinea-Australia-Canada in the Manus Basin) discovered a very large (approximately 800 x 350 m) actively-forming seafloor polymetallic sulfide 4 deposit in felsic volcanic rocks of the southeastern part of Manus Basin, a 60 km wide extensional zone of basalt, andesite and dacite volcanism in the New Britain back arc. The apparent neo-volcanic zone is a 30-km long, high standing, Y-shaped edifice, which we have named Pual Ridge ("Pual" means "fork" in a local PNG dialect). The PACMANUS deposit was found by deep-tow video on Pual Ridge along the flank and adjacent valley of a dacite lava dome. Videos show large spires, chimneys and mounds with abundant fauna. Only two small samples from an active chimney were recovered. Their mineralogy is a high temperature assemblage of chalcopyrite, bornite, tennantite, sphalerite or wurtzite and anhydrite. The bornite and tennantite and silver rich. Gold values for the two samples are 2 and 10 ppm. A pronounced methane and particulate plume was traced in the water column for 14 km to the northeast of the PACMANUS deposit. Other deposits of unknown size are nearby. The deposits of Pual Ridge and their surrounding volcanic rocks have close similarities to ancient massive sulfides of Archean to Phanerozoic age in Canada and Australia.

Jan 1, 2011

By S. Hölz, M. Jegen, K. Reeck, A. Haroon

Past investigations of seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) focused on actively forming sites. New technologies are needed to explore for SMS deposits which have finished their active phase and are possibly covered by sediments or lava. For this purpose the new marine transient electromagnetic (TEM) induction system MARTEMIS was developed by GEOMAR. The system was used for investigations in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Palinuro Seamount) and at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (TAG area) and proved to be suitable for operations at shallow (~600m) and great water depths (~3600m) in steep and difficult terrain. Calibration measurements in the water column demonstrate that it is possible to acquire high quality data, which is fit to be evaluated in terms of inversions. However, these calibration measurements also demonstrated that great care has to be taken in the design of such an inductive coil system, because relatively small metal structures attached to the system may lead to significant static distortions in the measured transients. The interpretation of TEM data acquired at the Palinuro Seamount show a conductive layer in the vicinity of a previously drilled, buried SMS occurrence and serve as proof of principle of the system. Results also indicate that the conductive SMS unit is indeed a confined layer with limited thickness between 3 – 5m, which was not known from previous drilling. In a similar manner, results also hint at an unknown mineralization at depth in a second area of the Palinuro Seamount. Investigations by TEM measurements were accompanied by measurements of the ambient electric field (→ self-potential) and seafloor temperatures with a heatflow probe as well as direct sampling with a gravity corer. The areal coverage of measurements and sampling allow for a greatly enhanced view of the structure.

Jan 1, 2018

By Karsten Hagenah, Tor Jensen, Jens Laugesen, Øyvind Fjukmoen, Lucy Brooks

This paper describes operational environmental threshold levels for exploitation of mineral resources in the deep sea. Such criteria are needed to be able to monitor and control deep sea mining with respect to the stringent environmental requirements that are needed. It is recommended to use existing environmental threshold levels for comparable activities where such are existing. Fields of application are mainly but not exclusively seabed mining operation activities under the governance of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The threshold levels and limits mentioned in this paper are proposed recommendations based on other activities than seabed mining but are a proven and accepted approach in other maritime industry activities. An example of such other activities with proven and accepted environmental threshold levels are Oil & Gas exploitation activities in the sea. Background The first exploitation of mineral resources is coming closer. At the moment regulations for exploitation for mineral resources in the Area are being developed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA regulations will contain the framework related to environmental monitoring of exploitation. However, the regulations will not contain operational environmental threshold levels for the Contractor.

Jan 1, 2018

By Akira Usui

The small-scale observations, mapping, sampling, and in-situ experiments have been carried out since 2009 using JAMSTEC ROVs at some model seamounts in the Northwestern Pacific seamounts. Laboratory analysis on mineralogy, chemistry, chronology indicated a continuous slow precipitation since the Middle Miocene, at water-depths 1-6 km, and the modern hydrogenetic precipitation even in the oxygen minimum zones. Thus the variability in abundance and grade of the deposits on regional, small and microscopic scales are determined by geological, geochemical, and hydrological conditions, resulting in the stacked piles of tiny precipitates from the seawaters.

Jan 1, 2018

By Maria Thornhill, Rolf Arne Kleiv

INTRODUCTION The last decade has given rise to an increasing number of deep-sea mining concepts (DSMCs) outlining technical solutions for the production chain from seafloor mining to mineral or metal extraction. The vast technological and logistical challenges coupled with immature but rapidly evolving technology has spawned a great variety in proposed concepts, and the exact implications of the phrase ‘best available technology’ is very much an open question. DSMCs differ significantly with respect to choice of technology, technological readiness level, degree of resource utilization, logistics, OPEX and CAPEX requirements, overall profitability, legal and political implications, not to mention environmental impact. Hence, a system for classifying concepts could provide a useful identification and structuring tool when performing economic, judicial or environmental assessments of DSMCs, as well as offering a general terminology to describe concepts sharing fundamental traits. This abstract proposes a DSMC classification system based on how a concept makes use of mineral separation at the different stages in the ore’s journey from the deposit to the ocean surface and ultimately to onshore facilities. Mineral separation, as a process step, is the key factor in determining both the state and mass flow of materials along the production chain and has, as such, a decisive effect on economy and environmental impact of any deep-sea mining project. A DSMC that is based on bringing the entire volume of broken ore to onshore facilities for processing will look very different from a concept based on pre-concentration (i.e. mineral separation) at the seafloor. Whereas the latter offers savings in the form of reduced energy cost for vertical transport, it also represents a substantial additional technological challenge. Furthermore, whether or not a concept relies on mineral processing at the seafloor or on a floating facility at the ocean surface above the deposit also determines the point at which mineral separation waste (i.e. tailings) must be managed. Different concepts offer different opportunities for tailings deposition, and are at the same time bound by different requirements.

Jan 1, 2018

By Igor E. Mikhaltsev

This paper concerns the continuation of work on the deepwater non-oxygen cycle heat energy generating systems. The 25-kW prototype of a universal deepwater turbine-electric energy source with hydrazine-hydrate as the primary heat production chemical is described in short and its abilities are discussed. The ?hydrazine-hydrate 64? is a catalytically dissociated heat production chemical (H2H4 ? nH2O) with 36% of water. The system was designed for work in any depths of the ocean down to 6000 m. It was built and tested working in the testing chamber in the ambient hydrostatic pressure of 600 bar. Then it was tested in the autonomous programmed regime in the Atlantic Ocean. The privileges of that energy system for any bottom installations or moving devices designed for ocean mining which need high power energy sources (20-100 kW and more) are discussed. The important needed step forward is raising the efficiency of the system which needs some investigation work in known directions. It is supposed that the possibility of getting about 5 kg/kWh with improved battery charging possibilities could be achieved. This might make the system even more profitable for mining operations.

Jan 1, 2001

By Derek Ellis

There are two environmental issues which have only recently begun to need planning in detail for marine mining. One is the environmental consequences of mine closure; the other is environmental terrorism. In principle it is not difficult to predict the pattern and rate of biodiversity recovery after mine closure on metalliferous depositional seabeds. 1-5 years to a self-sustaining community of organisms is a generalized guideline, depending on depth and particulate composition. The rate and pattern of biodiversity recovery on some metalliferous hard-rock habitats is far less predictable due to the patchiness and rareness of the habitat. Ecoterrorism at mines, whether on-land or marine, is now to be expected. A good example of resource industry ecoterrorism is the fire-bombing of logging and cement trucks in Oregon in 2001. But there have also been bombs at mine sites, as at Asbestos, Quebec. It is also possible to regard some resource-loss lawsuits as frivolous, hence forms of ecoharassment. Marine mining operations should take note of the development of environmental terrorism (and terrorism in general) and its various manifestations and impacts. Potentially these range from minor work stoppage inconveniences, to serious financial risk jeopardizing the economics of a mine, to jail for company executives, managers and environmental staff, and to harassment and killing of mine personnel.

Jan 1, 2005

By P. Mikhailik

Recently, characterized by fast development high- and nano-technology, demand for rare and trace metals has increased. One of such metals is gallium. Gallium compounds, mainly GaAs, are used in medicine, to manufacture optoelectronic devices, microwave techniques, devices of solar power and infrared optics, etc. The basic gallium industrial deposits are known only on land. There are bauxites (50 ppm), nepheline rocks and ores (36-38 ppm, minerals concentrators are nepheline and sodalite), Zn-Pb-Cu ores (5000-12000 ppm, minerals concentrators are gallite, germanite, sphalerite, bornite), sulphide-polymetallic and Pb-Zn ores (10-32 ppm, minerals concentrators sphalerite, chalcopyrite) (Vershkovskya et al., 1998). High concentration of gallium are observed in hydrothermal massive sulphides of a Mid-Okinawa Trough (The South Chinese Sea) and Sujo seamount (The Philippine Sea) (Noguchi et al., 2007). As it is known, deep-sea massive sulphides and associated Fe-Mn crusts are products of hydrothermal fluid discharge. High-temperature massive sulphides precipitation are the first, and low-temperature Fe-Mn crusts deposition is the last process of hydrothermal mineralization (Cronan, 1982). Hydrogenic crusts and nodules of the World ocean are characterized by low concentration of Ga, close to clarke (19 ppm) (Kobaltbogatye.., 2002). Hydrogenic crusts from the Sea of Okhotsk are exception, because Ga concentrations are exceeded clarke in 3,5 times (Mikhailik, et al., 2009). Complex studying of Fe-Mn crusts from deep-sea basins volcanic seamounts of the Sea of Japan has shown their hydrothermal-sedimentary genesis (Mikhailik, 2009). High gallium concentration (up to 850 ppm) was established in these crusts by ICP-MS (Agilent 7500C). Microprobe research (JXA-8100) of samples Fe-Mn crusts has not revealed the gallium minerals concentrators. It suggests that, gallium in Fe-Mn crusts of the Sea of Japan is sorb substance.

Jan 1, 2010

By P. Mikhailik

Recently, characterized by fast development high- and nano-technology, demand for rare and trace metals has increased. One of such metals is gallium. Gallium compounds, mainly GaAs, are used in medicine, to manufacture optoelectronic devices, microwave techniques, devices of solar power and infrared optics, etc. The basic gallium industrial deposits are known only on land. There are bauxites (50 ppm), nepheline rocks and ores (36-38 ppm, minerals concentrators are nepheline and sodalite), Zn-Pb-Cu ores (5000-12000 ppm, minerals concentrators are gallite, germanite, sphalerite, bornite), sulphide-polymetallic and Pb-Zn ores (10-32 ppm, minerals concentrators sphalerite, chalcopyrite) (Vershkovskya et al., 1998). High concentration of gallium are observed in hydrothermal massive sulphides of a Mid-Okinawa Trough (The South Chinese Sea) and Sujo seamount (The Philippine Sea) (Noguchi et al., 2007). As it is known, deep-sea massive sulphides and associated Fe-Mn crusts are products of hydrothermal fluid discharge. High-temperature massive sulphides precipitation are the first, and low-temperature Fe-Mn crusts deposition is the last process of hydrothermal mineralization (Cronan, 1982). Hydrogenic crusts and nodules of the World ocean are characterized by low concentration of Ga, close to clarke (19 ppm) (Kobaltbogatye.., 2002). Hydrogenic crusts from the Sea of Okhotsk are exception, because Ga concentrations are exceeded clarke in 3,5 times (Mikhailik, et al., 2009). Complex studying of Fe-Mn crusts from deep-sea basins volcanic seamounts of the Sea of Japan has shown their hydrothermal-sedimentary genesis (Mikhailik, 2009). High gallium concentration (up to 850 ppm) was established in these crusts by ICP-MS (Agilent 7500C). Microprobe research (JXA-8100) of samples Fe-Mn crusts has not revealed the gallium minerals concentrators. It suggests that, gallium in Fe-Mn crusts of the Sea of Japan is sorb substance.

Jan 1, 2010

By David Gwyther

There is increasing recognition that in order for a development project to proceed successfully, it must first obtain a ?social licence to operate? from concerned stakeholders. Obtaining this ?licence? is in many ways a separate process to the legal one which involves, among other things, submitting an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) to the appropriate regulatory authority for review. Essentially, the function of an ESIA is to present a project?s technical, financial and social benefits, together with its environmental and social impacts in a transparent way to enable regulators to make an informed decision about whether the benefits outweigh the impacts, and thus whether or not the proposed project should proceed. The focus in the early days of ESIAs was primarily technical and was aimed to answer two fundamental questions: ?Can the project be built?? and ?Can we minimise impacts to a level that is acceptable to the community?? Basically, the ESIA process was a technical test of competence, but more recently, ESIAs have become much more than this. The main ESIA risk is now more akin to a test of a project?s legitimacy ? i.e., with more weight placed on the social licence, or the political test of moral authority ? with the process involving stakeholders from multiple backgrounds and disciplines, including some anti-development NGOs/civil society groups with their views on mining, (particularly in developing nations), often already pre-determined. Within the backdrop of this potential maelstrom, now enter a proposal for a new industry (such as deep sea mineral extraction).

Jan 1, 2011

By Amy Gartman

"Seafloor hydrothermal systems result in the emission of abundant particles and nanoparticles into seawater1. Many of the elements in these particles settle locally, although some are transported distally to the global ocean2. Although broad similarities exist, the mineralogy, size and therefore reactivity of particles emitted varies between sites in the global ocean, and even within sites at the same vent field. The particle geochemistry of these vent fields is a critical but little understood component both from a perspective of baseline characterization and potential environmental impacts.The mining of seafloor massive sulfides formed from hydrothermal venting will generate a new class of particulates in the deep ocean. Broadly, black smoke and SMS tailings exhibit similarities including abundant Cu, Fe and Zn sulfides, and a large number of submicron particles. In addition to the major minerals, minor minerals including As, Bi, and Pb are present, especially in back arc settings. However despite broad similarities, natural “black smoke” and crushed sulfides created during mining operations differ significantly in size class, morphology, abundance, and reactivity. A comparison of these two classes of particulates will be presented, including chemical composition and reactivity to dissolution and oxidation."

Jan 1, 2017

By Alexander Malahoff

The new ship-submersible system with R/V Ka'imikai-o-Kanaloa as a mothership and the PISCES V as the submersible completed its first season of dives. The dives involved deployment of the PISCES V in the Hawaiian Islands between the months of July and October 1996. Submersible deployments up to depths of 2,000 meters in sea states up to a high three were made. The new hook and clasp deployment and retrieval connection for PISCES V to the telearm was shown to be an effective system for handling the PISCES V with the A-frame. The shipboard multibeam survey and seawater sampling capability proved to be especially effective in re-mapping the summit of the submarine volcano Loihi following a major volcano-tectonic event and for following the source and configuration of the new hydrothermal plume. Following the earthquake swarm of July 17 to August 18,1996, major changes in the geological setting of Loihi submarine volcano took place. Prior to the seismic event, the geology and structure of the summit of Loihi was represented by a platform-like area 8,100 meters long and 5,400 meters wide enclosed by the 1,200-meter depth contour. The summit was characterized by the presence of two prominent pit craters and eastern and western crater located at water depths of 1,100 and 1,370 meters, respectively. A hydrothermally active volcanic cone, named Pele's Vents, was located at a depth of 960 at the southern edge of the summit. The floor of the summit of Loihi was largely covered by prismatic talus, with interstitial hydrothermal clays. Pillow and tube lavas with volcanic cones 5 to 50 meters high were exposed along the axes of the southern and northern rift zones. The inner margin of the summit displayed fissures and normal faults with the downthrown component towards the center of the summit. The pre-earthquake structural data suggest a pre-caldera structural stage for Loihi. Maximum sustained hydrothermal activity observed on Loihi over the past 10 years existed at Pele's Vents with other sporadic venting occurs along the summit platform and along the south rift. Following the earthquake swarm, the hydrothermally saturated Pele's Vents cone gave way and slid into the inner pit crater. Subsequently, the observed above- bottom hydrothermal plume source deepened from 960 to 1,160 meters, possibly emanating from the same intrusive heat source as Pele's Vents. The observed inward collapse of the summit structures and subsequent opening of fissures gave rise to diffuse venting from the newly formed caldera-like depression with the bottom-hugging hydrothermal pool located at depth between 1,250 and 1,220 meters at the sites of the pit craters.

Jan 1, 1996

The chemical composition of the nodules varies with the type of manganese minerals and the size and characteristics of their nucleus, but those who have an economic interest have the following composition: Mn 29%, Fe 6% Si 5%, Al 3%, Ni 1.4%, Cu 1.3%, Co 0.25%, Na 1.5%, Ca 1.5%, Mg 0.5%, K 0.5%, Ti 0.2 0.2% and Ba 0.2% (Morgan, 2000; ISA, 2002). The Pacific Rim is an area of abundant occurrence of polymetallic nodules (Glasby et al., 1980; Morgan, 2000). According to these authors, the Pacific sea floor of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is one of the most interesting areas in regard to the genesis of polymetallic nodules. Their abundance in the ocean floor is very variable, as there are places where they cover more than 70% of the ocean floor. The nodules can be found at any depth, but the highest concentrations are between 4000 and 6000m (Morgan et al., 1993). In studies conducted in the EEZ of the Mexican Pacific are those made within the project "Research on the origin, process and distribution of minerals in the Pacific ocean floor in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mexico". Within this project Rosales (1989) conducted studies on the origin, process and distribution of polymetallic nodules, finding that a number of processes give origin to nodules, being diagenesis one of the main mechanisms of elements that contribute to the nodules. Besides hydrothermal processes that are carried near the East Pacific Rise at 21° N, inputs are contributing to the nodules metallic elements and sediments, especially in regions close to the dorsal, as a greater influence hydrogenetic processes occurs westward (Rosales and Carranza, 1990). In 1993, after cruise MIMAR II, Carranza and Rosales refer that metals such as Cu, Co, Ni, Sn, Fe, Mg, Pb, Zn and Ba may have a relationship with the East Pacific hydrothermal activity and sea currents carry these metals in solution to the Clarion-Clipperton fracture area, where there are hydrogenic metals sources (Al, Fe and Mn). As result of chemical analysis of Mn, Cu, Ni and Co, polymetallic nodules observed in part of the EEZ of Mexico are possible of potential economic interest (Rosales and Carranza, 1990, 2001; Carranza and Rosales, 2003).

Sep 14, 2011

By Robert Corcoran, Piotr Jasiobedzki, Roy Jakola, Michael Jenkin

Vast mineral resources of copper, zinc, cobalt and gold have been identified off the coast of Papua New Guinea at depths exceeding 2,000 meters. Accessing them in a cost effective manner and without destroying the marine habitat requires overcoming numerous technical and operational challenges. Although there are a number of deep-sea mining operations underway worldwide, the depths encountered are significantly less than will be required to mine these ore deposits. To date, only the oil industry has developed technologies for successfully accessing reserves at depths of 3,000m.

By Akira Usui, James R. Hein, Rachel Dunham

Ferromanganese crusts are found on most hard-rock substrates in the deep ocean (800-3,000 m). Their distributions on seamounts are complex and controlled by a wide-variety of factors including seamount morphology, current patterns, mass wasting, substrate rock type and age, subsidence history, and others. However, the development of this potential resource ultimately depends on this distribution, as well as on the small-scale topography, grade, and tonnage. The parameters that will ultimately be used to define a mine site are unknown, but reasonable assumptions based on 25 years of data collection can be used to bracket likely permissive characteristics.

By Timothy F. McConachy, Christopher J. Yeats, Ray Binns

Various kinds of sediment-hosted polymetallic sulfide deposit are known on land in ancient marine sequences, many tending to be larger and more valuable than massive sulfide deposits genetically associated with volcanic host rocks. Often such deposits are attributed to subhalative or shallow sub-seafloor precipitation processes, and structural control by faulting is commonly evident. Apart from the famous but anomalous Red Sea metallic oozes and several NE Pacific sites (Middle Valley, Escanaba Trough, Guaymas Basin), however, modern analogs of the sediment-hosted polymetallic sulfide category are lacking. Some deposits hosted by volcaniclastic rocks, such as JADE (Okinawa Trough) and Suzette (Eastern Manus Basin) are strictly sediment-hosted, but their formation is associated with the igneous activity and they are better considered a variant of the more abundant volcanic-associated polymetallic sulfide deposits.

Aug 24, 2006

By Porter Hoagland

It is well known that significant quantities of mineral deposits exist in the oceans. Most of these resources cannot yet be classified as economic "reserves" in the strict sense of the term, but they serve as backstops to deposits of identical minerals produced onshore. The prospects for the commercialization of ocean mineral resources will depend upon factors affecting both supply and demand, including, among other things, changes in consumption patterns, technological developments, new discoveries, developments in markets for complements and substitutes, and environmental regulation. In this presentation, we examine broad trends in mineral prices, as one of the most summary measures of the prospects for the commercialization of ocean minerals. Further, we report on any recent developments in the relevant product markets that may affect the potential for commercialization.

Jan 1, 1996

By Timothy F. McConachy

Hydrothermal fluids emanating from the seafloor rise as buoyant plumes, entraining ambient bottom sea water on the way up, until they reach density equilibrium and spread laterally in a direction that is governed by near-bottom currents. Plumes provide targets for focussing exploration for seafloor polymetallic sulfide deposits associated with active hydrothermal vents because their lateral and vertical extent is commonly orders of magnitude larger than the vent field from which they originate. Black smokers can inject on the order of 10,000 µg of particles per liter into a sea water column that normally contains only about 10 µg of particles per liter. The resulting plume should be characterized by increased particulate concentration with respect to background sea water and, therefore, provide a measurable gradient towards the source of venting. By utilizing the ability of particles to scatter light, we employed a real¬time, acoustically telemetered, nephelometer to measure this gradient, and mapped the size, shape and particle concentration of plumes at an active spreading center on the Southern Explorer Ridge at lat 49°45.6'N and long 130°16.2'W. Isopach and particle concentration data indicate the presence of two separate but overlapping plumes. The first is associated with a known vent field called Magic Mountain; the second with a new field called AGOR 171, 1.2

Jan 1, 1986

By H. L. Gibson, U. Schwarz-Schampera, Mark Hannington

Ancient ore deposits provide important clues for the understanding of the origin and distribution of modern submarine hydrothermal systems. An analysis of the formation conditions, tectonic settings, and preservation of ancient seafloor mineral deposits from the recent geological past to the late Archean sheds light on the time-space relationships and diversity of mineral deposit types likely to be found in the modern oceans. Microplate tectonics that characterized ancient ore-hosting greenstone belts were strikingly similar to those active in volcanic arc environments of the western Pacific today. In such complex settings, oblique collisions, opposing subduction zones, and rapid changes in stress regimes (e.g., from compressional to tensional and back to compressional) were common, causing juxtaposition of diverse styles of mineralization. The world-class base metal deposits of the late Archean Abitibi greenstone belt of Canada, for example, were formed within a relatively short time span of ~20 m.y., in response to successive arc rifting, back-arc basin development, and exhumation of accretionary complexes along major arc-parallel crustal-scale faults. Similar processes and environments are important settings for metallogenesis in modern submarine volcanic arcs. Active marginal basins of similar size and representing similar stages of evolution are well represented in the western Pacific today and contain a similar suite of mineral deposit types. Examples from the eastern Manus Basin and adjoining New Ireland Basin (PNG) and in the Lau-Tonga-Kermadec arc-backarc system illustrate these similarities. Certain gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits at the southern margin of the Abitibi greenstone belt (e.g., Bousquet and LaRonde deposits in the eastern Blake River Gp.) may be important ancient analogs of newly discovered gold-rich black smoker deposits found along the active fronts of today's submarine volcanic arcs.

Sep 24, 2006

By Sup Hong

Herein, concept designs of two different types of mining robots are concerned, which are aimed for developments of deep seabed mineral resources: polymetallic nodules (PMN) and seabed massive sulfides (SMS), respectively. Continuous mining concepts are presented based on technical and environmental feasibility, where the environmental and functional differences for commercial productions are investigated. Needs and roles of versatile mining robots are explained as a key of continuous mining system. The functional requirements and design characteristics of mining robots to satisfy the top requirements from customers are described comparatively. Schemes of axiomatic design and quality function deployment (QFD) are utilized: functional requirements (FR) are defined, technical requirements (TR) are figured out, design parameters (DP) are derived, and degrees of importance of design parameters are evaluated. Analogy and discrepancy in remote operation methods are put side by side. A pilot scale mining robot for PMN and a commercial scale one for SMS are suggested in form of concept designs. PMN mining robot is shaped as a multiple configuration of unit robot modules in side dimension, in which the unit robot module consists of two tracks and two pick-up modules. SMS mining robot is based on a four-tracked vehicle. Main platform is mounted on the vehicle through turn-table. Excavation device consists of two-articulated boom and cutter tool. Crushing-and-pumping units are placed same in both robot platforms.

Jan 1, 2011