Exploration activities of KORDI for deep sea minerals development in the Pacific region

2011. 6. 7 Jonguk Kim Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute

Outline
Overview
KORDIs R&D activities for deep sea mineral resources

Tonga Arc program

geology and hydrothermal activity along Tonga Arc Dive result from recent ROV surveys

KORDIs R&D programs for Deep sea Mineral Resources

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

Environment-friendly technology for deep-sea mining Sustainable development for future generation
Ocean Engineering and Marine Transportation
Location Target area Target Minerals

Northeastern Pacific

Manganese Nodules

High Sea

Western Pacific

Manganese Crust

Indian Ocean Ridge Tonga EEZ (Lau Basin, Tonga Arc) EEZ Fiji EEZ (North Fiji Basin)

Seafloor Sulphides Seafloor Sulphides Seafloor Sulphides

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

Manganese Nodules in northeastern Pacific (high sea)
First exploration cruise in 1987 R&D Program (1992 to present): Resources assessment, mining technology

Manganese Nodule

Area : 75,000 Estimated value : 509.80 M/T, US$ 380 billion - Mn : 107.24 M/T (million ton) - Cu : 4.57 M/T - Ni : 5.56 M/T - Co : 0.98 M/T

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

Cobalt-rich Crusts in Western Pacific (high sea)
Research programs (1997 to 2004) Exploration surveys for 10 seamounts in the western Pacific

Cobalt-rich Crust on Seamount

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

Seafloor Massive Sulphides (SMS) in Central Indian Ridge (high sea)
Research programs (2009 to present) Bathymetric survey, HT plume signature

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

SMS in Southwestern Pacific

MARIANA ARC (2007) MANUS BASIN (1999)

EP R

NORTH FIJI BASIN (2002/2003) NE LAU BASIN (2004-2006)

SEI R

TONGA ARC (2007-present)

CHILE R.

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

SMS in North Fiji Basin (Fiji EEZ)
Exploration cruises in 2002 and 2003 Hydrothermal chimneys and deposits: Cu-rich type to Zn-rich type Application for an exploration license (KF-1, -2, -3, ~3,000 km2)

Grade (max. )
Copper 255 kg/t Zinc 497 kg/t Gold 7.5 g/t Silver 203 g/t

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

SMS in NE Lau Basin (Tonga EEZ)
Exploration cruises in 2004 to 2006 Hydrothermal vents along FRSC, NELSC Samples of hydrothermal chimney and deposits

KORDIs R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Resources

SMS in Tonga Arc (Tonga EEZ)
Exploration surveys: 2007 to present (> 20 volcanoes) Prospecting license issued to KORDI/KML in 2008 Total area : 24,500 Survey cruises - 1 cruise in 2008 - 2 cruises in 2009 - 2 cruises in 2010

Chimney

Sulfide Mound

Tonga Arc Project

Tonga Arc
Active volcanic arcs

KORDIs allocated area for exploration of SMS deposits (K-1 to K-5) 20 volcanoes: TA07 to TA26 Volcanic rocks (IAB) Hydrothermal plume SMS deposit

Tonga Arc: volcanic rock major elements

Magmatic series from basalt to rhyolite : Continuous evolution of arc volcanism

Major elements variation : Olivine + Plagioclase >> Olivine + Pyroxene + Oxide (Fe, Ti, P)

Tonga Arc: volcanic rock - trace elements

Typical pattern for Island Arc Basalt : Enriched in LILE and depleted in HFSE : Depleted mantle source + Subduction component (fluid + sediment)

Tonga Arc: volcanic rock influence of fossil structure?

Subduction component: Latitudinal variation Mantle fertility: 1) no clear latitudinal variation 2) high at volcanoes in the middle position (overlap with the extension of LVR?)

Worthington et al., 2003

Tonga Arc: Hydrothermal plume

Hydrothermal plume signature in water column near 7 volcanoes : TA12, TA19, TA22, TA23, TA24, TA25, TA26 Hydrothermal plume signature + seafloor observation : TA12, TA25, TA26

Tonga Arc: Hydrothermal vents and alteration zone

TA12

TA25 TA12 TA25 TA26

TA12 volcano
TA26

Gas-rich venting, sulfur-rich alteration zone TA25 volcano Active and inactive chimney and mound TA26 volcano Active and inactive chimney and mound

Tonga Arc: Massive sulfide deposits

TA26-B (cone) : Zn-Ba rich ore with Au-Ag-Pb-Cu TA25 : Zn-Ba rich ore with Au-Ag-Pb-Cu >> Main ore type: Zn-Ba deposit TA26-A (caldera) : Fe-Mn oxide, low temperature oxide
TA26-B (cone) TA26-B (cone)

TA-25 (caldera)

TA26-A (caldera)

TA26-B (cone)

TA26-B (cone)

Tonga Arc: Summary of ROV survey

TA25 : Two active vent sites and two inactive deposits TA26 : Two active vent sites and two inactive deposits - Active sites: environmental study - Inactive sites: possible target for development TA25 TA26

Vinaka Vaka Levu !