Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

Utilising Jago has made very detailed, focused observation
possible, and allows specific aspects regarding the nature of sidescan
sonar and Chirp response to differing sediment textures to be examined.
This allows project geologists to produce extremely detailed acoustic facies
maps with very high-resolution interpretation of the variable ore body
character verified through observations. This has proved to be of
considerable value to design teams responsible for the development of
new mining systems and it is also important for people involved in mine
planning to optimise depletion of ore bodies through appropriate selection
of mining tools and recovery systems to meet specific physical conditions.
This is a particular challenge that will face any deep ocean mining venture
of the future.
The observations also make it possible to improve the
understanding of factors controlling the deposition and concentration of
diamonds to improve models explaining the distribution of mineralisation
on the seafloor. This contributes to determining how advanced
geostatistical techniques to estimate grade variation and/or
computationally simulate deposits need to be developed and improved.
Both of these aspects can make a considerable contribution to lowering the
cost of mineral resource delivery by reducing the need for sampling in
deep-water offshore environments, which is an expensive but essential
element in maintaining offshore diamond production.
Exploration and evaluation sampling and grade estimation
As already commented, offshore sampling operations are
expensive, and it is therefore important to optimise the design of
programmes. The high spatial variability of offshore diamond ore bodies,
coupled with the robust nature of the coarse gravels, presents a
considerable challenge for sampling systems. Considerable up front
geological knowledge is required to ensure that sampling system designs
are appropriate for the conditions in which they will operate. The accuracy
and resolution of a geological model developed for a specific ore body
plays a critical role in determining the spacing and orientation of a
sampling grid required to produce results at the desired confidence level
with a specific sample size. Given that the behaviour of sampling tools in
different ore body conditions will vary, influencing the overall efficiency
of the tool and thus the integrity of the results, this is an important aspect
that also has to be well understood.
INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 586