DEEP SEA MINING

• Deep sea mining is a

relatively new mineral
retrieval process that takes
place on the ocean floor.
• Ocean mining sites are
usually around large areas of
poly-metallic nodules or
active and extinct
hydrothermal vents at about
1,400 - 3,700 m below the
ocean’s surface.
• Since 1960, deep sea mining
has been developed and has
had certain achievements.
DEEP SEA MINING
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
 Because deep sea mining is a
relatively new field, the
complete consequences of full
scale mining operations are
unknown.
However, some researchers
have said they believe that
removal of parts of the sea floor
will result in disturbances to the
benthic layer, increased toxicity
of the water column and
sediment plumes from tailings.
DEEP SEA MINING
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Among the impacts of deep sea
mining, sediment plumes could
have the greatest impact.
Two types of plumes occur: near
bottom plumes and surface
plumes.
 . Near bottom plumes occur when
the tailings are pumped back down
to the mining site
 Surface plumes cause a more
serious problem. Depending on the
size of the particles and water
currents the plumes could spread
over vast areas
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• NOTES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT ON
DEEP SEA MINING
 The international law–based
regulations on deep sea mining are
contained in the United Nations
Conventions on the Law of the Sea
UNCLOS from 1973 to 1982, which
came into force in 1994
 The convention set up the
International Seabed Authority
(ISA), which regulates nations’ deep
sea mining ventures outside each
nations’ Exclusive Economic Zone
EEZ (a 200-nautical-mile (370 km)
area surrounding coastal nations).
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• DEEP SEA MINING SUMMIT
2015
 New way to improvise the
solution for deep sea mining
between nations
 Its objective is to build on and
identify new and innovative
technology developments,
technical know-how’s, and to
focus on the real challenges
which face a new breed of
deep sea miners and industry
providers.