Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

3. Regional and local variability in the spatial distribution of cobaltrich
ferromanganese crusts in the world’s ocean
Dr. Yubko’s presentation was on the regional and local variability in
the spatial distribution of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the world’s
Oceans. At the outset he mentioned that the study of cobalt-rich
ferromanganese crusts has reached a stage that justifies addressing the issue
from the point of view of exploration and subsequently exploitation. Dr.
Yubko stated that after research initiated in the 1970s, a number of scientific
and commercial companies from France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the
United States had been engaged in active research.
He informed the workshop that the first Russian study was carried out
on separate guyots of the Marcus-Neccer of the Central Pacific Ridge in 1968
and 1970 using the research vessel Vitiaz. He explained that ever since, a
number of cruises have been carried out and valuable data including
published data are available. He pointed out that the information in the
Russian database has been incorporated in different kinds of maps- namely,
bathymetric, geological and the metallogenic. He explained that a typical
ferromanganese crusts ore field might have dimensions of 120 km to 80 km at
the base with depth intervals of 1300m to 1500m. He pointed out that the
guyot, where the Russian study was conducted, an associated structure whose
base is at a depth of 3,000 m has complicated this particular ore field. The
average slopes have a dip range of 20 o to 30 o . He also explained that the
parameters for making a commercial decision about the ore field were
controlled by the thickness, structure and composition of the crusts.
4. Hydrothermal sulphide mineralisation of the Atlantic – Results of
Russian investigations, 1985-2000
The results of Russian investigations on hydrothermal sulphide
mineralization in the Atlantic were presented in a paper prepared by Dr.
Cherkashev. In his paper, Dr. Cherkasev states that fourteen (14)
hydrothermal fields were studied by the Russian Federation in the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans using the submersibles Pisces and Mir. Studies were
conducted at the Rainbow, Lucky Strike and Logachev hydrothermal fields.
He informed the workshop that investigations of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
which were started in1985 are still in progress. The work has resulted in the
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