Abstract
Deep-sea polymetallic nodules are a mineral resource with potential for commercial development. Due to the unique deep-sea environment in which they are found, specialized technology and equipment are required for their extraction. In this paper, firstly, the development of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining technology is classified into three stages, and its characteristics are summarized. Moreover, the results from research into deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining technology are analyzed, including proposals for mining systems, research into key technologies, basic scientific problems, and proof of technical feasibility from sea tests. Secondly, the testing of the collector prototype and the environmental impact assessment study of Global Sea Mineral Resources NV, as well as the progress of the deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining test project in China, are introduced. On this basis, the opportunities and challenges brought by the fast-growing demand for electric vehicles to the development of deep-sea polymetallic mining technology is analyzed, and a possible technical scheme for a mining system and the trends in its development towards high reliability and high standards of environmental protection according to the requirements of commercial exploitation are explored. This provides a reference for the research and development of high-efficiency technology and equipment for the mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules.
Highlights
Deep-sea polymetallic nodules are an enormously large mineral resource
In current International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploitation regulation formulation discussions, the commercial exploitation scale of nodules is set at 3 million tons of dry nodules, but it is recommended that this is realized through two mining systems, each with an annual output of 1.5 million tons of dry nodules [15,16]
The demand for metals used in new energy batteries is a driving force behind the accelerating development of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining technology
Summary
The nodules, several centimeters in size, form at the sediment surface at 4000–6000 m in water depth They are rich in the metals used in new energy batteries, such as nickel (1.25–1.5%), cobalt (0.2–0.25%), manganese (27–30%), and copper (1–1.4%), and have tremendous potential for commercial development [1,2]. People have been exploring and studying mining technology and equipment for harvesting deep-sea polymetallic nodules. They have put forward technical solutions and mastered some key technologies, but they faced many technical problems. This paper reviews the history of research into nodule extraction, summarizes the results from research at every stage, analyzes the current state of research, introduces the latest developments in research, and looks ahead to future trends and developments
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