Development of Technical and Economical Examination Method for Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts

摘要

Cobalt-rich manganese crusts on seamounts and manganese nodules on deep ocean floor have both received attention as future resources for Co, Ni, Cu, and Mn. Lack of information on cobalt-rich manganese crusts has precluded comparisons between the two sources in terms of their technical and economical advantages. In the past 15 years, Japan has surveyed the cobalt-rich manganese crusts; therefore, it seems the proper time to compare the two. In this paper, we consider deposit features and R&D results to produce a method for this comparison. Technical and economical advantages and disadvantages for each are given from a preliminary examination, followed by a discussion of the additional information required for a thorough comparison using our methodology.