responsible deep sea mining | auv launch...return water engineering & adaptive management...

DEME | Solutions for global challenges 19DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information – Commercial in Confidence Treatment Requested 19

Responsible Deep Sea Mining | AUV Launch


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Resource Definition

Step 1 | Deployment ofAutonomous Underwater Vehicle(AUV) flying five meters above theseabed, taking pictures every twoseconds.

Step 2 | Pictures of the seabed arecollated into a GeographicInformation System (GIS),denotating the exact position andcollating with other sample andsurvey information.

Step 3 | Raw pictures are analyzedand transferred into binary picturesbeing able to identify noduledimensions.

Step 4 | Software analyzes thedifferent dimensions of nodules anddetermines the nodule coverage ofeach picture.

Step 5 | Volume and weight foreach nodule can be deduced basedon the physical data measured onthe nearest box core sample.

Step 6 | Correlation betweencalculated nodule abundance, sidescan sonar imagery andbackscatter intensities will completeour methodology for an optimalestimation of the mineral resource.


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Project Development

Responsible Deep Sea Mining Geological considerations

Technological considerations

Environmental considerations

Economic considerations

Regulatory considerations

DEME | Solutions for global challenges 22

Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Concept of Operations

DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information – Commercial in Confidence Treatment Requested 22


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | ProCat #1

DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information – Commercial in Confidence Treatment Requested 52DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information 23

• Trafficability• Sinkage• Slippage• Bearing Capacity• Turbidity


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | GSRNOD17

A-Frame for boxcores, MUC, CTD, Apollo, DSM Buoys

Outboard platform

Umbilical winch

Crane for Patania deployment

Control Unit

0.1m/s to 0.5 m/s @ 4,500m



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CFD simulations: Laboratory test:

• Optimizing collector head geometry• Optimization control parameters (speed vs. efficiency)• Define final design(s) to be tested in laboratory

WatLab (Borgerhout)• Wave flume L70m• 10 weeks testing• Artificial sediment• Artificial nodules• Q2 2017




• Pick-up efficiency• Speed• Visor height • Jet location• Waste


Environment | Four impacts

Removal of hard substrate

The abyssal fauna with a high biodiversity but low biomass – of which a minority is connected to the nodules – will be removed after harvesting operations.

Noise & Light

Following industrial activity, there will be additional acoustic, light and electro-magnetic emissions that needs to be monitored & controlled.

Turbidity

(1) Resulting from the harvesting operation

(2) Resulting from the vertical transport

(3) Resulting from the [filtered] tailings return water

Engineering & Adaptive

ManagementSpatial Planning Engineering

Carbon Footprint

Following industrial activity, there will be GHG emissions. The global warming potential of the entire cradle-to-cradle life cycle of polymetallic nodules harvesting activity needs to be minimal.

Engineering



Environment | Biodiversity, Connectivity, Habitat & Eco-system Function


Oceanic Taxa | Census of Marine Life (2010) [Biodiversity]

Spatial variability & connectivity of species [Habitat Mapping]

Ecosystem processes

Ecosystem function

Ecosystem service

DEME | Solutions for global challenges 33DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information 33

Environment | Biodiversity, Habitat, Connectivity & Eco-system Function

Tanaidacea sp.

Mysida sp.

Acari sp. Calanoida sp.

Amphipoda sp.

Isopoda sp.

Ostracoda sp.

COI(also 16S) Polychaeta

Ophiuroidea sp.

Polychaeta sp.

Neighbour-joining tree with sequences from Janssen et al. (2015)


Environmental Impact | Biomass in CCZ

Bacteria, not Macrofauna, are the key players in the short-term degradation of Phytodetritus in Abyssal CCZ sediments(Results from the AB01 Cruise), Sweetma, A.K., Smith, C.R., Maillot, B. Schulse.C, Church, M.J., Gooday, A.J.,Moodley, L.


Biomass

Macrofauna Meiofauna Microbes

87%

2%

11%

Megafauna is less than 1%


Environment | ISA Taxonomy Workshop 2015


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Deep Sea Mooring Buoys

Ecoplume offers a big-data, modelling-based approach to forecast and hindcast actual turbidity generated by dredging activities on site.

2017


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | MIT & UCSD

PROJECT DATA PLUMEXDewatering Plume ExperimentPartners: MIT, Scripps Institution of OceanographyROV and AUV Included


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Objectives of GSRNOD19

JPI-O MiningImpact 2 project – Environmental challengesEvaluation of the environmental impacts of the PPV, in order to:

• Reduce existing knowledge gaps and uncertainties about environmental impacts of Deep Sea polymetallic nodules mining;

• Gather data about operational impacts; • design of fit-for-purpose monitoring programs, and industry-led standard development• Develop a precautionary approach for an environmentally acceptable, socially

responsible and economically viable, integrated potential future mining plan

ProCat Project – Technical challengesIn situ validation, in the operational environment of the CCFZ, of

• The design of a pre-prototype vehicle (PPV), integrating driving andcollection mechanisms;

• The maneuverability of the PPV;• The reliability and the robustness of the technology;• The nodule pick-up efficiency of the hydraulic head


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Environmental Impact

PROJECT DATA JPIO IIJPIO II: Proposal for SONNE Ship Time

Impact test of GSR 2019 PRE-PROTOTYPEInternational collaboration

+ 100 people involvedIndependent validation

R/V Sonne (2014)


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Environmental understanding

(1) Biodiversity, connectivity, resilience:

Prior and after

(2) Fate and toxicity of the plume: Monitoring in space and

time

(3) Biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning:

Prior and after

Boxcore

Multicore

Deep seaMoorings

AUV Water samplers

ROV SyPRID

Landers

Pushcores

Benthicchamber

CUBE


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Prior EIS

Environmental Impact Statement 1. Introduction2. Policy, legal and administrative context3. Project description4. Description of the existing environment5. Assessment of impacts and proposed mitigation6. Accidental events and natural hazards7. Environmental management, monitoring and

reporting8. Abbreviations9. Study team10.Expert review11.References

Ref: Following ISBA/23/LTC/CRP.3*


0

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Polymetallic Nodules Moving Averages [Deflated]

1y-avg 5y-M_avg 10y-M_avg Linear (1y-avg)


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Commodity Prices

CAGR = 0.994%[Due to scarcity]


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Operating cost curves

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0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

c/lb

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Cum Ni ktMudd, G. M. Global trends and environmental issues in nickel mining: Sulfides versus laterites. Ore Geology Reviews 38, 9–26 (2010).


Project development | Regulations

2002-2007 2017


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | Public participation


Applicant submits Environmental Scoping Report ESR: comment by Interested Persons 60 days

Commission considers ESR (+ may recommend modification)

Applicant may revise and conducts EIA based on ESR

DR18.1 DR18.2

DR18.3/4

DR18.5/6 & 19

DR4.3

DR20.2

DR20.3

DR22.1 and 29

DR22.2 DR22.8.c

DR21


Activity 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

Initiation [Concessions, Technology evaluation, Legislation]

Exploration [Environmental baseline, Resource Definition, Engineering, Continuous monitoring]

Technology De-Risking [Component test, Prototype test collector, Processing]

System Integration Tests [Collector Vehicle, Riser & pump System, Processing batch, Transshipment]

Construction of Harvesting Fleet

Production Ramp-Up

Full Scale Harvesting

Project Development | Schedule

Scoping Study


ProCat JPIO II

MIT-UCSD

Int. & Nat. Reg. Dev.


How can the world meet an increasing metal demand, in the most

environmentally responsible manner?


www.deme-group.com/gsr

DEME | Solutions for global challenges 50DEME | Solutions for global challenges | GSR Proprietary Information 50


Responsible Deep Sea Mining | References


1. MacLean, H. L. et al. Stocks, Flows, and Prospects of Mineral Resources. in Linkages of Sustainability (eds. Graedel, T. E.

& van der Voet, E.) 199–218 (The MIT Press, 2009).

2. Norgate, T. E. Deteriorating Ore Resources. in Linkages of Sustainability (eds. Graedel, T. E. & van der Voet, E.) 130–148

(The MIT Press, 2009). doi:10.7551/mitpress/9780262013581.003.0008

3. Mudd, G. M. Global trends and environmental issues in nickel mining: Sulfides versus laterites. Ore Geology Reviews 38,

9–26 (2010).

4. Graedel, T. E. et al. What Do We Know About Metal Recycling Rates? Journal of Industrial Ecology 15, 355–366 (2011).

5. Vidal, O., Goffé, B. & Arndt, N. Metals for a low-carbon society. Nature Geosci 6, 894–896 (2013).

6. Graedel, T. E., Harper, E. M., Nassar, N. T. & Reck, B. K. On the materials basis of modern society. PNAS 112, 6295–6300

(2015).

7. Ali, S. H. et al. Mineral supply for sustainable development requires resource governance. Nature 543, 367–372 (2017).

8. The World Bank. The Growing Role of Minerals and Metals for a Low Carbon Future. 112 (The World Bank, 2017).

9. Bazilian, M. D. The mineral foundation of the energy transition. The Extractive Industries and Society 5, 93–97 (2018).

10. Tilton, J. E. et al. Public policy and future mineral supplies. Resources Policy (2018). doi:10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.01.006

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