Page 21: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2019)

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Solwara 1 project seabed mining tools.

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Zone, the International Seabed Author-

Types of ocean minerals. ity (ISA) estimates there are over 20

There are three types of deep-sea billion tons of these nodules. Generally, ocean minerals of commercial interest; these nodules lie atop ocean sediment polymetallic nodules, sea? oor massive at depths greater than 3000 meters.

sul? des and polymetallic crusts. Sea? oor Massive Sul? des (SMS)

Polymetallic Nodules were the ? rst of are formed by undersea volcanos and the sea? oor minerals to be discovered. generally lie in shallower water than

These nodules are of commercial inter- manganese nodules. The deposits of est for their high manganese content. copper, zinc, gold and silver are what

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In one area of the North Paci? c Ocean is of commercial interest in these ar-

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MTR #9 (18-33).indd 21 12/2/2019 11:51:34 AM