Korea’s state-of-the-art geophysical survey vessel Tamhae 3 has found high-concentration seabed uncommon earth parts within the western Pacific excessive seas. As uncommon earth parts have emerged as a core part of world useful resource safety, consideration is targeted on whether or not Korea will achieve securing commercially viable seabed uncommon earth parts within the area.
The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Assets introduced on Jan. 15 that it confirmed the presence of high-concentration uncommon earth parts with a most of 3100 ppm and a mean of over 2000 ppm in its first oceanic survey within the western Pacific excessive seas utilizing Tamhae 3.
Uncommon earth parts, which have emerged as a core part of world useful resource safety, are extensively distributed throughout the Earth’s crust, however economically viable high-concentration deposits are restricted. Terrestrial ores even have environmental limitations, as they emit giant quantities of radioactive supplies similar to thorium in the course of the refining course of, intensifying the monopolization of provide chains by particular international locations. Seabed uncommon earth mud is drawing consideration as an answer for next-generation crucial mineral provide chains, because it has a excessive content material of heavy uncommon earth parts important for manufacturing high-performance everlasting magnets whereas containing low quantities of radioactive supplies.
An 8.1-km long-range streamer was operated for the primary time on this survey operation. A streamer is a horizontal marine receiver deployed at size behind a vessel, and the longer it’s, the extra it may acquire low-frequency sound waves mirrored from the deep seabed at numerous angles, permitting for broader and deeper statement of deep seabed geological constructions. The analysis crew analyzed information secured by this gear and intensive seabed geological information to establish upfront the geological environments the place uncommon earth parts might be concentrated, and secured high-concentration samples in any respect three chosen drilling factors.
The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Assets is focusing on excessive seas, which comprise two-thirds of all oceans, to safe crucial mineral sources. Excessive seas sources are the widespread heritage of mankind managed by the Worldwide Seabed Authority (ISA), and since preemptive information acquisition results in unique exploration rights, this achievement may contribute to securing useful resource sovereignty. Specifically, seabed uncommon earth parts are drawing consideration as an answer for next-generation crucial mineral provide chains, as they’ve a excessive content material of heavy uncommon earth parts important for manufacturing high-performance everlasting magnets and a low content material of radioactive supplies.
Primarily based on this achievement, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Assets will conduct a second survey in April. Having confirmed the presence of uncommon earth parts by the primary survey, the plan for the second survey is to extend the survey density within the related sea space to finish an in depth useful resource map.
