Research focus
The focus of the group is on the exploration of various marine mineral deposits (manganese nodules, massive sulphides, iron-manganese crusts, phosphorites) and analyses of their resource potential. Looking to the future, one research focus is the investigation of possible environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.
Distribution of Marine Mineral Resources
- Resource research at regional level - setting up predictive models of possible mineral deposits (predictive mapping)
- Production of geological maps of the deep sea
- Global resource assessment and standardisation of work protocols taking into account numerical modelling.
Environmental impacts of deep sea mining
- Comprehensive assessment of the potential environmental impact of deep-sea mining
- Introduction and control of deep-sea areas declared worldwide as environmental protection zones (Areas of Particular Environmental Interest)
- Development of standards and guidelines for environmental assessment and the establishment of innovative technologies in exploration, pilot mining tests and potential mining activities
- Development of environmentally friendly, zero-waste processing methods for manganese nodules and iron-manganese crusts
- Legal control and monitoring of deep-sea resources
Stakeholder exchange
- Advising politics and the economy
- Public relations work in a wide range of media; taking into account social aspects and involving society in the issue of deep-sea mining with the aim of providing unbiased information to all stakeholders (honest broker).
- Assessing the impact of potential deep-sea mining on other onshore economic sectors (e.g. land mining).
Further information on the subject of deep-sea mining
