MARINE MINING_proof 24/08/2016 08:51 Page 1
MARINE MINING
Life on the ocean wave
Paul Moore reports how with actual equipment
deliveries, deep sea mining is stepping ever closer to
reality, though concerns about environmental and other
effects remain. New options are also being put forward
for nearshore and onshore mineral extraction
new World Bank report recommends that
Pacific Island countries supporting or
considering deep sea mining activities
proceed with a high degree of caution to avoid
irreversible damage to the ecosystem, and ensure
that appropriate social and environmental
safeguards are in place as part of strong
governance arrangements for this emerging industry.
Deep sea exploration of minerals and
resources is increasing across the globe, but its
short and long-term impacts on the
environment, economy and society in general
remain largely unknown, according to the
report, Pacific Possible: Precautionary
Management of Deep Sea Mining Potential in
Pacific Island Countries.
“Given the immense uncertainty, deep sea
mining in Pacific Island countries should be
approached with the highest degree of caution
and transparency,” said Tijen Arin, Senior
Environmental Economist and co-author of the
paper. “Work in this space is already progressing
in many countries, and progress has been made
in legislation, but strengthening and increasing
institutional capacity still remains a significant
challenge and therefore we recommend stronger
regional cooperation in this area.”
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands,
Tonga and Vanuatu have granted permits for
deep sea mining exploration, and the Cook
Islands recently undertook a minerals
exploration tender process. So far, Papua New
Guinea is the only country in the Pacific region
to have granted a license for ocean floor mining,
through the Solwara 1 Project.
The report, released for public comment
recently, takes stock of what is known and
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156 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2016
unknown about deep sea mining – its costs,
impacts and potential revenue – and highlights
the need to develop both the evidence base for
informed decisions and appropriate governance
structures.
“Natural resources belong to a country’s
citizens and if mining does occur, those
resources should lead to economic growth and
social development,” said Franz Drees-Gross,
World Bank Country Director for Papua New
Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Pacific Islands. “We
hope this comprehensive paper will help Pacific
Island governments to identify information gaps
around deep sea mining, build the necessary
institutional and professional capacities and
ensure sustainable outcomes.”
The report was launched at a joint Pacific
Community (SPC) and World Bank event in Suva,
and takes into account work already undertaken
in this area by the Pacific Community’s
Geoscience Division. The report is the first of
seven in the World Bank’s Pacific Possible
series, which looks at potentially transformative
opportunities for Pacific Island countries that
warrant further research, understanding and
policy action. The series aim to inform
governments and stakeholders on planning and
long-term decision-making.
Industry evolution
Aside from the impact of deep sea mining, some
of the key mining and equipment companies
involved have been making important moves in
terms of consolidation and partnerships. In
November 2015, Royal IHC expanded its
activities with the acquisition of Fraser Hydraulic
Power (FHP) in the UK and Robbins Technology
The three mining machines or
Seafloor Production Tools (SPTs)
delivered by SMD
Group (RTG) in Brisbane, Australia. With these
latest acquisitions, IHC has expanded its
offshore rental fleet and gained a stronger
foothold in the mining market respectively. RTG
is a multi-disciplined technology company
specialising in providing services to the mineral
sands industry. It focuses on the design and
construction of mining and mineral processing
plants, and the manufacture of specialist
equipment, as well as assaying, metallurgical
test work and circuit development.
“With this merger, IHC brings innovative
engineering solutions to the industry with the
opportunity to provide fully integrated mining
and processing solutions to customers. In
addition, it strengthens IHC's position in the
downstream minerals processing market for
heavy mineral sands, as well as other
commodity activities in which IHC has vast
knowledge and experience. The collaboration
between the two companies gives customers
the best equipment solutions available at
competitive prices. It also utilises the two
companies' mutual understanding of the full