Exploration activities of KORDI for deep sea minerals develop-ment in the Pacific region

2011. 6. 7

Jonguk Kim

Korea OceanResearch & DevelopmentInstitute

OutlineOverview KORDI’s R&D activities for deep sea mineral re-sourcesTonga Arc program geology and hydrothermal activity along Tonga ArcDive result from recent ROV surveys

KORDI’s R&D programs for Deep sea Mineral Resources

Location Target area Target Minerals

High Sea

Northeastern Pacific Manganese Nodules

Western Pacific Manganese Crust

Indian Ocean Ridge Seafloor Sulphides

EEZ

Tonga EEZ (Lau Basin, Tonga

Arc)Seafloor Sulphides

Fiji EEZ (North Fiji Basin) Seafloor Sulphides

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources￭ Environment-friendly technology for deep-sea mining

￭ Sustainable development for future generation

Ocean Engineering and Marine Transportation

Manganese Nodules in northeastern Pacific (high sea)

▶ First exploration cruise in 1987▶ R&D Program (1992 to present): Resources assessment, mining technology

▣ 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

Manganese Nodule

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

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

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

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

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

SEIR

EPR

CHILE R.

NE LAU BASIN (2004-2006)

MARIANAARC (2007)

MANUSBASIN (1999)

NORTH FIJI BASIN (2002/2003)

TONGA ARC (2007-present)

SMS in Southwestern Pacific

Grade (max. )Copper 255 kg/tZinc 497 kg/tGold 7.5 g/tSilver 203 g/t

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)

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

SMS in NE Lau Basin (Tonga EEZ)

▶ Exploration cruises in 2004 to 2006▶ Hydrothermal vents along FRSC, NELSC▶ Samples of hydrothermal chimney and deposits

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

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

Sulfide MoundChimney

KORDI’s R&D activities for Deep-sea Mineral Re-sources

Tonga Arc Project

Tonga Arc

Active volcanic arcs

KORDI’s 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 vol-canism

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 + sedi-ment)

Tonga Arc: volcanic rock – influence of fossil structure?

Worthington et al., 2003

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?)

Tonga Arc: Hydrothermal plumeHydrothermal plume signature in water column near 7 volcanoes

: TA12, TA19, TA22, TA23, TA24, TA25, TA26

Hydrothermal plume signature + seafloor obser-vation

: TA12, TA25, TA26

Tonga Arc: Hydrothermal vents and alteration zone

TA12 TA25 TA26

TA12

TA25

TA26

TA12 volcano

Gas-rich venting, sulfur-rich alter-ation zone

TA25 volcano

Active and inactive chimney and mound

TA26 volcano

Active and inactive chimney and mound

Tonga Arc: Massive sulfide deposits

TA26-A (caldera)

TA26-B (cone)TA26-B (cone)

TA26-B (cone)TA26-B (cone)

TA-25 (caldera)

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 de-posit

TA26-A (caldera): Fe-Mn oxide, low temperature oxide

Tonga Arc: Video from ROV survey

Tonga Arc: Summary of ROV survey

TA25 TA26

TA25: Two active vent sites and two inactive depositsTA26: Two active vent sites and two inactive deposits

- Active sites: environmental study- Inactive sites: possible target for development

Vinaka Vaka Levu !