Phosporite Mining: A Bridge Between Dredging and Deep Sea Mining
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2009 - Dredging Tools for the Future, Rotterdam
Authors:
L.J. de Jonge; B. Hogeweg
Abstract: This paper discusses the proposition:
The dredging industry cluster has all opportunities (with their knowledge on soil/rock excavation and vertical transportation) to become an essential partner for the offshore/deep sea mining industry and boost its development by offering and creating the essential crossovers in technology and establish crossover industry consortiums.
A new wave of attention for deep sea resources has arisen in the last decade, mainly for SMS, phosphorites and Methane Hydrates deposits. Due to technical, economical, legislation and environmental developments this new attention opens up the prospects as never before. However the offshore/deep sea mining industry is not yet a matured and fully developed industry. No matured centre players can be identified, although key candidates can be found in the offshore oil and gas industry or the mining industry. In these two industries players with the right volume, turnover, and processing and distribution channels are present. The dredging industry, both in technology and equipment as well as contractor partners, can become essential players in this industry.
Keywords: deep sea mining, offshore mining, remotely operated vehicles, energy