Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) and Deep Ocean Resources Development (DORD) of Japan are planning a joint deepsea mining demonstration. The trial is aimed at the potential co-development of polymetallic nodule resources within DORD’s exploration licence area in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone (CCZ).
GSR is the deepsea exploratory subsidiary of DEME. For the trial, GSR and DORD signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Under the MoU, GSR will provide its technical knowledge and operational expertise to support DORD’s programme.
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Mining at depths exceeding 4000 metres
A key objective of the partnership is the execution of a system integration test (SIT) in the early 2030s within the DORD contract area. This test will validate the safe and reliable operation of an integrated commercial‑scale mining system – including a seafloor collector, vertical transport system and surface vessel – at depths exceeding 4000 metres.
The SIT will include a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, combining GSR’s offshore operational experience with DORD’s extensive environmental and geological dataset built up over decades of exploration work in the area.
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Polymetallic nodules as national priority
The agreement highlights the increasing strategic importance of diversifying supply chains for critical minerals. Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese – essential metals for the global clean‑energy transition, electric vehicle batteries, wind energy systems and the rapidly expanding data‑centre infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence technologies.
The Government of Japan has designated the development of these resources as a national priority under its Fourth Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
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First nodule collection test in 2021
DORD, established through public‑private investment in 1982 and operating under METI’s supervision, has conducted continuous exploration of its licence area since 2001. GSR holds its own International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploration contract in the CCZ and, in 2021, became the first company to successfully perform a polymetallic nodule collection test at 4500 metres depth using its pre‑prototype collector Patania II.
Kris Van Nijen, Managing Director of GSR: ‘We are pleased to partner with DORD to support the development of their licence area in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone. By bringing together GSR’s pioneering deepsea mining technology with DORD’s deep knowledge of their exploration area, we can work towards a system integration test that will generate the critical environmental and technical data needed for responsible development.’
All activities carried out under the MoU will take place within the DORD licence area and will comply fully with the ISA’s exploration regulations and environmental guidelines.
Picture: Polymetallic nodules won by deepsea mining (photo by DEME).
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