A Case Study of Mining Seafloor Massive Sulfides In Japanese EEZ

The Kuroko-type seafloor massive sulfide deposits found in the western Pacific have been considered to have potentials for economic recovery of Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The technical and economic feasibility of mining is preliminary evaluated in this case study. The Sunrise Deposit of Myojin Knoll on Izu-Ogasawara Arc in the Japanese EEZ is selected as the target. Some important technical factors to affect the economic feasibility are clarified through the evaluation. It is concluded that commercial mining may have a chance, if a smaller production scale is applied to the development. Quantitative information necessary for a more accurate evaluation is discussed.