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Polymetallic nodules, also called manganese nodules, are mineral concretions on the sea bottom formed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core. As nodules can be found in vast quantities, and contain valuable metals, deposits have been identified as a potential economic interest. [ 1 ]
The recovery operation in international waters about six years later used mining for manganese nodules as its cover story. The mining company and ship were nominally owned by reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, but secretly backed by the CIA, who paid for the construction of the Hughes Glomar Explorer. [5]
The CCZ is regularly considered for deep-sea mining due to the abundant presence of manganese nodules. The CCZ extends around 4,500 miles (7,240 km) East to West [4] and spans approximately 4,500,000 square kilometres (1,700,000 sq mi). [5] The fractures themselves are unusually mountainous topographical features.
Mining outfits like the Metals Company, the CEO of which coined the phrase “battery in a rock,” sees these nodules as the answer to our energy problems. However, 25 countries want the ...
Unraveling the origins of life. The US Geological Survey estimates that 21.1 billion dry tons of polymetallic nodules exist in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone — containing more critical metals than ...
Polymetallic nodules on the deep seabed in the CCZ Example of manganese nodule that can be found on the sea floor. Polymetallic nodules are found at depths of 4–6 km (2.5–3.7 mi) in all major oceans, but also in shallow waters like the Baltic Sea and in freshwater lakes. [23] [24] They are the most readily minable type of deep sea ore. [25]
Contracts to explore for manganese nodules are typically only for areas up to 75,000km 2, but the total area affected is estimated to be between 200 and 600km 2 impacting a much larger marine ecosystem. [24] These mining vehicles emit plumes of sediment which would transport sediment to a greater distance from the site. [24]
TMC the metals company Inc., [1] doing business as The Metals Company, formerly DeepGreen Metals, is a Canadian deep sea mining exploration company. [2] The company focuses on the mining of polymetallic (nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese) nodules [3] [4] in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific.