Deep-sea mining

Seventy per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and a vast amount of mineral deposits, such as diamonds, gold, copper, nickel and rare soils, are hidden below the surface. Typical dredging technology is limited by water depth, but IHC Mining has identified this as an opportunity to develop deep-sea mining systems to reach depths of 5,000 metres.

IHC Mining firmly believes it can reach deep-sea mineral deposits using the expertise available within IHC Merwede. This belief is strongly supported by a dedicated research and development programme.

Product portfolio

A typical deep-sea mining system consists of: a mining support platform or vessel; a launch and recovery system; a crawler with a mining head, centrifugal pump and vertical transport system; and electrical, control, instrumentation and visualization systems.

With a proven track record of crawlers over the past two decades, IHC Mining applies remotely operated technologies to reach marine deposits. The remotely operated crawlers deliver the slurry via a modified cutting or suction head and vertical transport system to a transportation vessel or processing plant on board the support platform or vessel.

Each of its complex, high-quality products work as part of an integrated system, with optimum production performance throughout the life cycle. The technology essential for optimal production performance includes deep-sea excavation, soil mechanics and hydraulic transport – all of which fall under the specialty and expertise of IHC Mining.

Case study

At the De Beers Marine diamond mining operation in Namibia, IHC Mining supplied a subsea crawler mining system, a launch and recovery system, and a mining control system. They are all currently in operation for marine mining in depths up to 150 metres.

OceanflORE

To further develop the deep-sea mining market, IHC Merwede has established a joint venture with DEME, OceanflORE. This provides a total deep-sea mining solution for the extraction of deep-sea minerals at fixed prices per unit. It combines the operational and engineering capabilities of both companies, resulting in the most efficient solution for the customer.