HOME >
News Releases >
2023 >
JOGMEC conducts comprehensive evaluation of seafloor hydrothermal deposits development
JOGMEC conducts comprehensive evaluation of seafloor hydrothermal deposits development
PDF version of this page (149 KB)November 8, 2023
Revised on February 29, 2024
Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its efforts to date in developing seafloor hydrothermal deposits, as commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This is the second comprehensive evaluation since 2018. The comprehensive evaluation, which consolidates the achievements and current tasks in areas such as exploration, environmental impact assessment, and production technology developments, evaluated the economic viability of seafloor hydrothermal deposits development at this time.
Since fiscal 2008, JOGMEC has conducted exploration, environmental impact assessments, production technology development, legal framework analysis, and other activities for the development of seafloor hydrothermal deposits. The project was commissioned by the METI in accordance with the government's “Basic Plan on Ocean Policy” and “Plan for the Development of Marine Energy and Mineral Resources.”
This second comprehensive evaluation summarizes the achievements and current tasks from the past five years since the last evaluation in 2018. Its key achievements include: (1) the identification of mineral resource potential of 51.805 million tons in the Okinawa and Izu/Ogasawara regions; (2) the validation of the applicability of the environmental impact assessment method to areas with different conditions; and (3) the configuration of an excavating and ore lifting system, based on the results of the world's first successful excavating and ore lifting pilot test in 2017, with consideration for operational stability and environmental affinity.
The latest economic evaluation was conducted under a more realistic scenario than the previous one. This evaluation based on the results in various fields included the preparation of a production plan that considers the operation of the excavating and ore lifting system for two ore deposits, and the establishment of environmental monitoring plans based on environmental impact projections following seafloor development.
The comprehensive evaluation report summarizes these achievements and current tasks as well as prospects for the project.
This second comprehensive evaluation summarizes the achievements and current tasks from the past five years since the last evaluation in 2018. Its key achievements include: (1) the identification of mineral resource potential of 51.805 million tons in the Okinawa and Izu/Ogasawara regions; (2) the validation of the applicability of the environmental impact assessment method to areas with different conditions; and (3) the configuration of an excavating and ore lifting system, based on the results of the world's first successful excavating and ore lifting pilot test in 2017, with consideration for operational stability and environmental affinity.
The latest economic evaluation was conducted under a more realistic scenario than the previous one. This evaluation based on the results in various fields included the preparation of a production plan that considers the operation of the excavating and ore lifting system for two ore deposits, and the establishment of environmental monitoring plans based on environmental impact projections following seafloor development.
The comprehensive evaluation report summarizes these achievements and current tasks as well as prospects for the project.
Flow of Seafloor Hydrothermal Deposits Development
The “Fourth Basic Plan on Ocean Policy,” approved by the Cabinet in April this year, states that “the government aims to launch a project towards commercial production from the late 2020s onwards with private sector participation in line with international trends, and works on activities such as development of framework and establishment of technologies that includes identification of mineral resource and measures for environmental protection to enable the government to engage in development and production whenever needed in view of the economic security of Japan.”
In the future, based on the results of this comprehensive evaluation, the METI will revise the “Plan for the Development of Marine Energy and Mineral Resources” to provide direction and concrete plans for future projects involving seafloor hydrothermal deposits. JOGMEC will continue to pursue the realization of the development of seafloor hydrothermal deposits through steady efforts.
Information about this project is also available on the METI website, as shown below:
In the future, based on the results of this comprehensive evaluation, the METI will revise the “Plan for the Development of Marine Energy and Mineral Resources” to provide direction and concrete plans for future projects involving seafloor hydrothermal deposits. JOGMEC will continue to pursue the realization of the development of seafloor hydrothermal deposits through steady efforts.
Information about this project is also available on the METI website, as shown below:
Comprehensive evaluation report for seafloor hydrothermal deposits development
The summary report of comprehensive evaluation is shown below:
Reference
The inquiry about this page.
Seafloor Mineral Resources Department
Tel +81-3-6758-8030
Public Relations Division
Tel +81-3-6758-8106
