Summary of Environmental Impact Assessment for Mining Seafloor Massive Sulfides in Japan

JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) has conducted exploration and research in Japan’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone) from fiscal year 2008, under contract by the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), for the commercialization of SMS (Seafloor Massive Sulfide). As there is currently no commercial mining precedent of SMS, it is necessary to consider the potential impacts of mining on the surrounding environment, and to promote long term sustainable projects. In particular, due to the existence of specific chemosynthetic ecosystems and unique biological communities around the SMS area, both quantitative evaluations of potential environmental impacts and consequent environmental conservation strategies, are necessary in order to avoid and or minimize the potential detrimental effects to the ecosystem, as much as possible. The environmental research programs consist of baseline surveys, environmental impact modeling, and methodological concepts which will be applied to conserve biodiversity. In this paper, we will primarily provide an overview of the project conducted by JOGMEC during 2008-2012.