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Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) has been testing Patania II,
a 25-tonne mining robot prototype, 4 km (13,000 ft) below the
surface in its concession in the Clarion Clipperton Zone since
April 20.
The machine, named after the world's fastest caterpillar, became
detached on Sunday from the 5km cable connecting it to GSR's
ship, but a recovery operation reconnected it and brought it
back to surface late on Thursday.
"We conduct these trials to better understand the challenges
involved so we can continuously refine our technology," Kris Van
Nijen, managing director of GSR, said.
Before the incident, the robot had collected rocks rich in
manganese, cobalt, and nickel from the seabed.
These potato-sized rocks called "polymetallic nodules" are
sought by GSR and other companies with seabed exploration
contracts that say they could help meet the world's increasing
demand for battery metals.
Independent scientists in a nearby ship are analysing data to
establish the trial's environmental impact.
Deep-sea mining regulations have not been finalised by the
International Seabed Authority, a U.N. body.
Some environmentalists and companies are calling for a
moratorium, saying too little is known about the environmental
impact of disturbing the ocean floor, while industry analysts
have questioned the economics of technically challenging deep
sea mining.
GSR says it will only apply for a mining contract if the science
shows that the seabed can be a responsible source of the metals
needed for the clean energy transition.
(Reporting by Helen Reid; editing by Barbara Lewis)
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