05.02.2013 Views

Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

sedimentary layers that are favourable for the accumulation of<br />

hydrocarbons.<br />

Evaporite deposits, including some potash and magnesium<br />

minerals and elemental sulphur can be recovered by the Frasch process,<br />

which involves solution mining methods of injecting hot water into<br />

reservoirs through bore holes Thus the presence of geothermal water<br />

sources locate near evaporite deposits greatly enhances their potential<br />

value (Kildow J. T., 1979).<br />

4.3.2 Where marine evaporite deposits are found<br />

Figure 9 shows the present day occurrence of sub-sea anhydrite,<br />

potash and magnesium evaporite deposits.<br />

Although evaporite deposits formed in ancient marine basins are<br />

extensive on land, many of these also extend beneath the sea, not only<br />

under the continental shelves but also under some marginal ocean basins<br />

(for example, the Sigsbee Deep salt domes in the Gulf of Mexico). Other<br />

areas area: the Canadian Arctic (including Hudson Bay), the north-west<br />

African shelf, the Mediterranean Sea, north-eastern margin of Brazil, the<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 690

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!