JOGMEC Conducts World’s First Successful Excavation of Cobalt-Rich Seabed in the Deep Ocean;
Excavation Test Seeks to Identify Best Practices to Access Essential Green Technology Ingredients While Minimizing Environmental Impact :
August 21, 2020
After reviewing a detailed environmental impact, the Japan Oil, Gas & Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), commissioned by the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI),
has conducted the world’s first successful excavation test of a cobalt-rich crust (Note 1) on the seabed of Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), marking a major technological step forward in the development of its ocean mineral resources.
JOGMEC’s prior research
revealed the possibility of a significant amount of cobalt and nickel – two essential ingredients for batteries – on the seabed, and it is expected to become a valuable domestic resource in the future.
Conducted in collaboration with industry, academia and the government of Japan, and led by JOGMEC staff under research team leader Yoshiaki Igarashi,
the tests were held under various conditions, including over sloping and sandy seabed.
The team also carefully monitored for any impact on the surrounding environment, prior, during, and following the excavation of the crust to rule out any serious environmental impact.
Using a crust-excavation testing machine developed and built in Japan,
JOGMEC collected 649 kilograms of cobalt and nickel-rich seabed crust during a world-first test aboard the marine resource research vessel “Hakurei” in July, 2020.
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)
http://www.jogmec.go.jp/english/news/release/news_01_000033.html