Next-generation Technology for Ocean Resources Exploration
Zipangu-in-the-Ocean Project
26 June 2016At STAR2017,
Nadi, Fiji
Tetsuro Urabe Program Director, SIP-Zipangu-in-the-Ocean Project
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
-Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program(SIP)-
Self Introduction• Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
(Economic geology, seafloor resources)
• Former Member, Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS)(2011-2017)
• Program Director, SIP-Zipangu-in-the-Ocean Project, Cabinet Office of Japan
(At UN Headquarter, 2013)
CONTENTS
1. Introduction: SIP Programs of Japan
2. Two major projects in seabed resource development: JOGMEC and SIP Zipangu-in-the-Ocean Project
3. The goal of SIP project is to develop “Integrated Survey System for Concealed SMS Deposits”
4. Latest results of the “Integrated Survey System”
5. Proposal and Conclusions
Note: Results on environmental impact assessment studies of SIP will be given by Dr. Tomo Fukushima and Dr. Hiroshi Koshikawa in this Session 02.
3
(参考)
Select PD for each program.
PDs selected by invitation from among top-class leaders in industry and academy.
Governing Board to provide advice/ assessment.
Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI)
Governing Board(Executive Members of CSTI)
Program Director (PD) for each program
Promoting committee
●PD (chair)●Related ministries, Experts,Funding (Management) Agencies,Cabinet Office(Secretariat)
System Established forEach Program
Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)
Related ministries, Funding (Management) Agency,
Research organizations (Universities, Corporations, Research institutes,
etc.)
< Governance structure >
Cabinet Office Support
Outside Experts
Implementation Structure
4
Features of the SIP
CSTI selects projects that answer critical social needs and offer competitiveness to Japanese industry and the economy.
Cross-ministerial Initiatives.
Promote focused, end-to-end research and development.
Innovative CombustionTechnology
MasanoriSUGIYAMA
Toyota Motor Corp.
Next-GenerationPower Electronics
TatsuoOOMORI
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Structural Materialsfor
Innovation (SM⁴I)
TeruoKISHI
Univ. of Tokyo, NIMS
Energy Carriers
ShigeruMURAKI
Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd.
Next-generation Technology for Ocean Resources Exploration
TetsuroURABE
Univ. of Tokyo, JMEC
Infrastructure Maintenance,
Renovation and Management
YozoFUJINO
Yokohama National Univ.
Technologies for Creating Next-Generation Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries
NoboruHORI
Hokkaido Univ.
Automated Driving System
SeigoKUZUMAKI
Toyota Motor Corp.
Enhancement of Societal Resiliency
against Natural Disasters
MuneoHORI
Univ. of Tokyo
Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program(SIP)
- Program Directors/Affiliation for SIP -
Innovative Design/ Manufacturing Technologies
NaoyaSASAKI
Hitachi, Ltd.
Cyber-Security for Critical Infrastructures
Disasters
AtsuhiroGOTO
Institute of Information Security
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Next-generation Technology for Ocean Resources Exploration【Objective】 To develop ocean resource exploration industry, build the world’s most advanced
and effective exploration technologies for ocean resources .
【Duration】 Five years
【Budget】 \4.56 Billion (for FY 2017) = 41 million US$ (See SIP Homepage)
Contents:
① Scientific research on genesis of ocean minerals and
resources
② Development of exploration technologies for ocean
resources
③ Ecosystem survey and development of long-term
monitoring technologies
④ Development of “Integrated Ocean Resource Surveying
System” Strategies:
Develop competitive exploration technologies for ocean
minerals and resources through an industry-government-
academia partnership
Transfer technologies and know-how to private sectors to
develop ocean exploration industry for ocean minerals and
resources
Accelerate overseas deployment by establishing global
standard technologies for ocean exploration
Program Director(PD):
Dr. Tetsuro Urabe
(Univ. of Tokyo, Japan Mining Engineering & Training Center)
Development of ocean exploration industry for ocean minerals and resources
And its overseas deployment
JAMSTEC
NMRI*2 PARI*3 NICT*4 NIES*5AIST*1 Industry
SIP (Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program)
*1 Advanced Industrial Science and Technology 2 National Maritime Research Institute 3 Port and Airport Research Institute
4 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology 5 National Institute for Environment Studies
6 Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation
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Develop Survey Methods for SMS Exploitation, processing, exploration
Mining companies
Ore-dressing companies
Smelting companies
Sub-sea instruments manufacturer
Resource survey companies
Environmental survey companies
Sensor development industries
JAMSTEC
JOGMEC 10-year PlanSIP Zipangu-in-the-Ocean
Collaboration between JOGMEC and SIP Project
• JOGMEC provides;• data obtained by drilling to SIP to foster development of survey tools• results of environmental study to SIP to jointly develop ecosystem models• model field for SIP to foster its Integrated Resource Survey System
• SIP provides;• survey technology to JOGMEC to be used for their exploration• environmental monitoring tools and technologies to JOGMEC• technology transfer to survey industries which may benefit to JOGMEC
9
In year 2017, JOGMEC will launch the world’s first pilot-scale in-situ experiment of mining
and lifting ores from seafloor polymetallic sulfides (SMS) deposit in Okinawa Trough.
It will be the first step toward commercialization of marine mineral resources development.
Development of seafloor polymetallic sulphides (METI/JOGMEC)
Mining and collection
test machine
ROV
(Remote operated vehicle
for monitoring)
Submersible pump
1,600 m
Seafloor Polymetallic
Sulphides
8
SV Hakurei Poseidon #1 Drain barge
Three major mineral resources found on deep-sea floor
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1. Seafloor Massive Sulfide (SMS) deposits --- Poly-metallic Sulfide deposits or Seafloor hydrothermal deposits
2. Cobalt-rich crust --- Poly-metallic crust deposit or Ferromanganese crust deposit
3. Ferromanganese nodule --- Poly-metallic nodule
‹#›
Plausible sequence of commercial
development
Comparison among three types
(Modified after Petersen et al. 2016, Marine Policy)
Co-rich manganese crusts Seafloor massive sulfides
Geological Setting Top and flanks of old
volcanic seamounts
Oceanic spreading centers,
submarine arc volcanoes
Characteristics asphalt- like crusts on
hard substrate (rocks)
sulfide mounds (φ<300m)
consealed ore lens
Water depth 1000~3000m 1000~4000m
Favorable area
(The Area, EEZ, ECS)
1.7 million km2
(46%, 44%, 10%)
3.2 million km2
(58%, 36%, 6%)
Dimensions Large 2-D deposits Small 3-D deposits
Main metals of interest Cobalt, Nickel,
Manganese, Copper
Copper, Zinc, Lead, Gold,
Silver
Other commodities
Titanium, REEs, Platinum,
Molybdenum, Bismuth,
Phosphorus
Cadmium, Gallium,
Germanium, Indium,
Antimony
Resource estimate 7533 million tonnes in the
Prime Crust Zone
600 million tonnes in the
mid-ocean ridge axes
Grades (Prime Crust Zone) (Occurrence median)
0.5wt% Cu Ni, 0.7wt% Co,
23wt% Mn
3wt% Cu, 9wt% Zn, 2ppm
Au, 100ppm Ag
Footprint of 2 mii tonne 25km2 <0.2km2
2.4wt% Cu Ni, 0.2wt% Co,
28wt% Mn
150km2
Large 2-D deposits
Nickel, Copper, Manganese,
Cobalt
Molybdenum, Lithium,
Titanium
21,100 million tonnes in the
Clarion-Clipperton-Zone
(Clarion-Clipperton)
Manganese nodules
Sedimented abyssal plains,
nodules
3000~6000m
38 million km2
(81%, 14%, 5%)
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The SMS deposits are high grade but small
Estimated resource for the global Seafloor Massive Sulfide
(SMS) Deposits(Hannington et al, 2011)
– 6 x 108 tons of ore on Seafloor(500 Billion US$)
– They suggested “much more” beneath the seafloor
The key issue is, therefore, to develop the survey methods
for concealed ore-body
Active black smoker
ConcealedOre-body Hot fluid
Caldera
Zipangu-in-the-Ocean Project, SIP
The concealed SMS deposits
have several merits;- No vent communities
- No high-temperature fluid
- Low H2S, metals, and acids
Demerit: stripping-ratio of open-pit
(mud removal before exploitation)13
Exclusive Economic Zone of Japan and Known Sites of Seafloor Massive Sulfide Occurrence
12(Extended Continental Shelf is not shown in the map. Map and EEZ boundaries are after GeoMapApp.)
Site Name Lateral Size & Water depth
Inferred Tonnage Grade
Hakurei Site, Izena Caldera
1300 m x 500 mDepth= 1600m
7.4 million tons(including concealed lower ore body )
Au: 1.5 g/t, Ag: 95.6 g/t, Cu: 0.41%, Zn: 5.75%, Pb: 1.44%,As 0.26%
Noho site,Iheya ridge
~1000 m x 600 mDepth= 1350m
(drilled briefly)Largest mound is 100m φ & 30 mhigh
Au: 3.3 g/t, Ag: 911 g/t, Cu: 0.53%, Zn: 12.03%, Pb: 7.81% (n=6)
Gondou site,off Kume-jima-Is.
1500 m x 300 mDepth= 1400m
(drilled many holes)Largest mound is 300m in dia. & 70 m in height
Au: 1.7 g/t, Ag: 326 g/t, Cu: 13.0%, Zn: 12.3%, Pb: 5.2% (n=6; not based on cores)
13
Large SMSs have been found in Okinawa Trough
Information in this presentation could be found in;
1. METI/JOGMEC (2013) “Final Report of the Development Project on Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposits (First Stage)” (in Japanese) and related
press releases.
2. METI/JOGMEC press release on May 26, 2016 on the ore reserve for Hakurei site.
3. J. Ishibashi, et al eds. (2015) "Subseafloor Biosphere Linked to Hydrothermal Systems: TAIGA Concept", Springer open access eBook.
次世代海洋資源調査技術-海のジパング計画- 14
Next-Generation Technology for Ocean Resources Exploration: conceptual cartoon
Budget= 41 Million US$ (2017FY), Duration= 2014-2018 (5 years)
1: Scientific research on the origin of sea-floor resources2: Develop sea-floor resource survey technologies3: Develop ecosystem survey and long-term monitoring technologies
ActionThemes
Broadband Satellite communication Drilling/ piston coring Long-term observatory
& sensor deployment
Multiple-AUV-
borne survey
Deep-tow
survey
AUV-ROV
borne survey
Hovering-AUV-
photo -mosaic
Multi-beam
Echo-sounding
Seafloor
Hydrothermal
deposits
Cobalt-rich
crusts
Concepts of the
“Integrated Survey System for Concealed SMS Deposits”
★
20km
360 million km2
Target Area
Vessel Use multiple AUVs
Deep-tow Instr.
Seafloor Instruments
Hovering AUVs
← 1km → ← 2m →← 5km →
Regional survey
ROV,
Interpretation, analysis, & evaluation
Narrow-downto 10,000 km2
Narrow-downto 100 km2
Narrow-downto 10 km2
Discovery & Delineation ofDeposits
Semi-detailed survey
Detailed survey
The knowledge on the origin of deposits should replace satellite imagery in land-
based survey.
Global Ocean
Step-by-step applications of survey methods /protocols to define the targets.
minute topo-
graphy
Natural
potential
VCS
seis-
mics
Saving the number of drillings is the key of the system. (drilling costs is 100 times more in sub-sea than on land).
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Summary of Results Obtained on the Concealed SMS in the Izena Caldera
Natural Electric Potential curve
W
All the obtained data are consistent with the existing
data of intensive drillings
E
Same section from JOGMEC HP
100m
sulfidePumice/sed
Alteration zone
0
-10
-20Volt
age(V
)
Natural Electric Potential Map
Drilling locations by ”Chikyu” in 2016.
72.5
46.5
100m
180.0
120.5
80.0
80.54
8孔内が安定せず掘削を途中で中止
35
19
Number in blue: meters below seafloorNumbers in orange: thickness of sulfides
53m
25m
122m
70m
260m
1,630m
Chikyu
Natural Electric Potential Data
Deep-tow seismic reflectionprofile (note reflection of SMS)
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Electric,
seismic
surveys &
drilling
had done
on same
profile
where
concealed
deposit is
known.
Patent Pending (Dr. Kasaya; JAMSTEC): • Exploration method based on electric
potential(No. 2016-020642)• Effective exploration methods combined
with EP and EM (No. 2016-176889)
Natural Electric Potential Survey Tool for SMS
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• The Natural Electric Potential Survey method, which is developed in the SIP project is proven to be very effective and handy to identify concealed SMS ore deposits.
• The method was tested in 2016 at the Hakureisite, Izena Caldera, Okinawa Trough.
Instrument installed In deep-tow system
1 km
Semi-detail survey
Izena Caldera,Okinawa Trough
Natural Electric Potential
Results
Deep-tow (ACS) & Vertical-cable (VCS) Seismic
Z-VCS results are overlaid on ACS profile
Sub-seafloorStructuresby VCS
Z-VCS method
℃
W
E
Results
• High-resolution vertical cable seismic survey method was developed and applied to the IzenaCaldera by J-MARES in March 2017
Observed temp. anomaly (Altitude; 20 m)
sulfide mounds area background area
Z-VCS uses
ROV to hang
seismic cable
vertically and
move at the
velocity of ½
knots.
The results may indicate the 3D distribution of the concealed ore body as intersected by series of Chikyu drillings. The area of characteristic reflection pattern (white dotted circle) fits the section of concealed ore (orange).
21
High-resolution
deep-tow
cable seismic
survey method
is good for
aerial survey.
次世代海洋資源調査技術-海のジパング計画-
Multi-AUV Operation in 2016; a key technology
• Multiple AUVs operation by ASV is our key technology.
• These AUVs are used as platform for several different survey sensors to enhance efficiency.
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Hovering AUV
(Photo mosaic)
Cruising AUV #2
(multi-beam sonar)
Cruising AUV #1
(Sub-Bottom Profiler)
ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle)
Support vessel
“Hoverin”Surface Relay
Vehicle
Results
Approx. 500m
Sulfide mounds
mapped by AUV
Start
mining
Goals of the Project for the future • GOAL: We finish technology transfer to survey industries before the end
of the SIP program, so these industries should be ready to receive orders
from JOGMEC, investers, and over-sea clients.
• Government has a plan to start commercial seabed mining after 2022.
Our SIP project will provide survey systems for mining companies to
assure enough ore reserves.
2016 2017 2018 2019 ~
“Integrated
Survey
System”
Technology
development
System
verification
@ Izena
(well-known)
Further sea trial
@Gondou site
(partly-known)
Final sea-
Trial at un-
known site
Exploration within
the EEZ of Japan
Commercial
seabed mining
2022 ~
Survey industries
receive orders oversea
Develop
core technology
Check for
efficiency
& cost
Test & integrate
technologies
Finalize survey
Protocol
Spread the
protocol
Oversea survey
SIP Ends
Harbor construction, oil-gas
industries, environmental
monitoring business 20
Conduct national
survey by industriy
Gradual increase in industrial contribution
Potential Application of “Integrated Survey System for Concealed SMS Deposits” to Western Pacific
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• We believe that Southwestern Pacific is the best place to
apply this survey method as this area has very high
potential of concealed SMS deposits.
• It is essential to establish international collaboration
between Japan and SPC countries to make this happen.
• For example, Japan conducted extensive reconnaissance
survey for seafloor resources between 1985 and 2005 (21
years) at the request of SOPAC.
• The program should include, if accepted, both resource
assessment and environmental baseline survey to improve
the scientific knowledge of this area.
• It is also envisaged to contribute for the future of this area
through capacity building and inviting investment in future.
Japan-SOPAC Seafloor Resources Survey in the Pacific (1985-2005)
SUMMARY• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) had conducted extensive seafloor resource survey for 21 years at the request of SOPAC*.
• The survey covered the EEZ of 12 Pacific-SIDS and mapped for 160,000 km2, photographed 1,350 km long seafloor, collected 2,019 rock/ore samples, and drilled 79 holes (124 m).
• The survey was aimed for reconnaissance of the resource potential in this area where data were scarce.
• All the data and samples were gathered and compiled at SOPAC Office, and are still used as the resource data base of the area by ISA.
• The bathymetric data are also used in the submissions for the extension of the continental shelf to CLCS by many coastal States.
(JOGMEC Metal Resources Report,2006.1. )
*SOPAC (Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission) was first established in 1872 as CCOP/SOPAC under UNESCAP. It became an Inter-governmental Organization in 1990 and then became a Department of Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in 2010.
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Year States Resources1 1985Cook Islands FeMn Nodule2 1986Cook Islands FeMn Nodule3 1987Kiribati FeMn Nodule4 1988Tuvalu FeMn Nodule5 1989Kiribati FeMn Nodule
61990
Cook IslandsSamoa
FeMn NoduleNodule & Crust
7 1991Kiribati Nodule & Crust8 1992Papua New Guinea Massive Sulfide9 1993Solomon Islands Massive Sulfide
10 1994Vanuatu Massive Sulfide11 1995Tonga Massive Sulfide12 1996Marshall Islands Cobalt-rich Crust13 1997Micronesia Cobalt-rich Crust
141998
Marshall IslandsMicronesia
Cobalt-rich Crust
15 1999Fiji Massive Sulfide16 2000Cook Islands FeMn Nodule17 2001Fiji Massive Sulfide18 2002Marshall Islands Cobalt-rich Crust
192003
KiribatiNiue
Cobalt-rich CrustFeMn Nodule
20 2004Fiji Massive Sulfide21 2005Micronesia Cobalt-rich Crust
CONCLUSIONS
1. SIP “Next-generation Technology for Ocean Resources Exploration” (Zipangu-in-the-Ocean project) established the “Integrated Survey System for Concealed SMS Deposits”
2. The system was verified by drilling at Izena Caldera, Okinawa Trough, where there is inferred ore reserves of 7,400,000 tons of sulfide ores both on and beneath the seafloor.
3. We will again conduct in-situ verification of the survey system in 2017 and 2018, where existing drillings are scarce or absent.
4. These results were quickly transferred to industries which are the major goal of this SIP-Zipangu project.
5. We are looking for the international collaboration with SPC countries in the field of seabed resource survey.
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