Mineral Riches are Waiting Deep Under the Sea

Mineral Riches are Waiting Deep Under the Sea
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A team of scientists has deployed deep-sea robots in order to explore the elusive abyss in order to search for valuable minerals.

Researchers from the University of Bergen have decided to send robots to a depth of 2,500 meters (or 8000 feet)  in select zones between Norway and Greenland in order to explore and learn how deep-sea deposits form and where to find them.

Most of the sea floor has remained uncharted since the current technology only allows a limited exploration and it is quite time-consuming. It was easier for humanity to explore the moon and we know more about the other planets in our system.

The team is using a combination of piloted submarines and autonomous robots in order to explore target areas where valuable minerals such as gold, zinc and copper can be found. The project aims to observe why deposits form in particular areas and identify tell-tale signs for possible deposit locations. Researchers are exploring if deep-sea mining is feasible and the possible environmental damage that can be caused by such an enterprise.

A new and viable source of rare metals could boost the electronic industry and even potentially reduce prices if the mining cost is reasonable.

Humanity is exploring alternative mineral sources as the demand for electronics continues to rise. From the smartphone or laptop on which you are reading this article to advanced medical devices and the technology of the future, demand is already bigger than the offer.

China is already exploring the possibility of bringing minerals-rich asteroids to Earth in order to mine them and while the technology is in its early stages, it may become real in just a few years. A strategic spaceport on the moon is also considered by several nations, in order to facilitate space exploration.

It remains to be seen if deep-sea mining is possible but for now it looks promising.


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I am a pop culture and social media expert. Aside from writing about the latest news health, I also enjoy pop culture and Yoga. I have BA in American Cultural Studies and currently enrolled in a Mass-Media MA program. I like to spend my spring breaks volunteering overseas.

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