IMPLICATIONS OF JAPANESE LARGE-SCALE MAPPING ON COBALT-RICH CRUSTS FOR EXPLORATION IN WESTERN PACIFIC

The International Seabed Authority recently issued some regulations for exploration of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and concerned environmental problems in the international seabed. Cobalt-rich crusts have great economic significance as data prove and attracted great attention from many countries. In the past years, the international exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts on the western Pacific seamounts and continental margin has been getting more active with some new technological trends. China, Japan and Russia are the three countries which have devoted much to the exploration in the Western Pacific. It is necessity for China to learn more about the technology from other countries to improve its exploration activities. The Japanese exploration at the Micronesia seamount has provided an important case in the exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the western Pacific region. The combination of geophysical survey, drilling and imaging technology for detailed mapping has been proven a useful technology for research of the cobalt-rich crusts. The advanced Japanese undersea detection technology, which includes the full use of geological data, high density sampling, close corporation of resource evaluation with topography, and effective distinguishing various seismic reflection areas for more accurate seabed resources estimates, is also valuable for reference.