Geotechnical Parameters And Distribution Characteristics Of The Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crust For The Miner Design

Abstract

The importance of deep-ocean deposits for future cobalt resources and geological distribution characteristics have been well recognized. However, no sufficient geotechnical information of the cobalt-rich manganese deposit region is available to aid the design of seafloor mining systems. Based on the results of a recent large-diameter gravity coring, a model test of the coring, and analyses of geotechnical properties of seamount sediments, topographic and microtopographic distribution of the deposits, strength characteristics of the crusts and the substrates, and the geotechnical distribution characteristics of the deposits are presented. Although the present data represent a small coverage, the data will be useful as preliminary miner design parameters, and the initial design parameters are also discussed.