| Videos | • Latest |
|
• Feature | • Sports | • Your Videos |
China gains rights to explore 10,000-square-km int'l seabed sulphide ore deposit
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail
CNTV, November 19, 2011
China has signed a 15-year exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority. It gives the go ahead for China to prospect for poly-metallic sulphides on the seabed of the southwest Indian Ocean. China will now enjoy pre-emptive rights to research and develop metal ore deposits in the deep sea in future.
China's application for prospecting the region was approved back in July.
The area that China wants to explore is the southwest Indian Ridge - an area of seabed covering some 10,000 square kilometers.
|
|
|
China has signed a 15-year exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority. |
Nii Allotey Odunton, Secretary-General of International Seabed Authority, said, "Currently, we have developed regulations for 3 types of mineral resources. This is the second type, and this is the first exploration contract to look for it."
Polymetallic sulphides are a recently discovered mineral resource. They have a high metal content, and are often found around volcanic springs -- many of which lie under the world's oceans.
It's hoped the survey will lead to the future extraction of refined metals - and help meet increasing demand for mineral resources worldwide.
Jin Jiancai, Secretary-General of China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Assoc., said, "Looking for polymetallic sulphides will help China learn more about the deep-sea environment, and enhance technologies for deep-sea mining and exploration. It's an opportunity for us, and we should utilize it well. We must also effectively protect the diversity of the biology."
According to the contract, China must give up 50 percent of its exploration rights after 8 years. After 10 years, that will fall by another 25 percent -- to an area of just two and a half thousand kilometers.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)