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Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

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monitor trends in relative impacts of mining operations in different parts<br />

of the Benguela Ecosystem as these are likely to vary from one area to<br />

another given changes in the physical character of the sediments forming<br />

the deposits.<br />

Three aspects were identified for continued monitoring to better<br />

understand:<br />

� The dispersion of the tailings and the extent to which its<br />

resedimentation could influence areas in close proximity to the<br />

mining operation were identified as an issue requiring further<br />

monitoring. The aim of this study is to develop a better<br />

understanding of tailings plume dynamics based on more<br />

detailed vertical profiler measurement over a longer time frame<br />

at stations in and around plumes to determine changes in the<br />

currents, salinity, oxygen and turbidity with depth.<br />

� The way in which benthic communities are influenced by, and<br />

recover from, mining activities. At the time, the ongoing<br />

monitoring programme was designed around annual, ongoing<br />

benthic sampling. The aim of the study was to develop better<br />

insight into the effect of natural changes in the Benguela<br />

Ecosystem and develop the capacity to differentiate them from<br />

local impacts directly attributable to mining.<br />

� The influence of mining activities on marine mammals, with<br />

special reference to Heaviside’s dolphin through twice daily<br />

sightings from each DBM vessel to allow trends to be identified<br />

and tracked.<br />

3.3 Uniquely Powerful Insights from Direct Observation – Jago and the<br />

Future of Impact Studies<br />

The decision to deploy the research submersible Jago from the DBM<br />

vessel Zealous in 1996 to place specialists down on the seafloor to directly<br />

observe the natural environment in which the company operates was a<br />

defining moment in the history of DBM. This approach has provided a key<br />

platform for innovation through technical and operational observation<br />

coupled with the development of new insights into the nature of the<br />

marine biophysical environment off southern Namibia and through this,<br />

the growth of new expertise. Hence it is interesting to note that [16]<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 633

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