644 
legitimate need of the gas transmission industry for clear and realistic 
guidelines.” 
We agree with this recommendation. 
C. Hard minerals (p. 130) 
World demand projections for many key minerals are such that the U.S. must 
ensure itself an adequate and dependable supply by increasing the rate of dis- 
covery. The Commission finds that the present supply outlook does not raise an 
urgent necessity to develop seabed minerals at maximum speed regardless of 
cost. However, an early start in offshore exploration and technology development 
is warranted, and in the Commission’s view it is proper for government to play a 
large role because of the lead time required, the very great costs involved and 
the diverse nature of the benefits. 
1. The Seabed as a Potential Source of Hard Minerals (p. 130) 
The Report affirms that for the foreseeable future the economics of extracting 
metals—other than salt, bromine and magnesium—from sea water are such that 
there is little likelihood of commercial production. 
A more promising source is placer deposits, which are confined mainly to the 
inner edge of the continental shelf. It is unlikely that significant placer deposits 
exist on the continental slope or beyond. The Commission states that serious 
reconnaissance is warranted of the placer prospects off U.S. coasts. 
Very little is known about the mineral potential of buried consolidated rock 
deposits in the substrata of the Continental Shelf and slope. Unless accessible by 
tunneling from shore or artificial islands, exploration of these deposits lies well 
in the future. 
As to the abyssal ocean floor, the only deposits which now seem to the Com- 
mission to have potential economic importance are nodules, crusts and oozes on 
the ocean floor. The rocks beneath the abyssal ocean floor are far beyond present 
technical capacity to explore. 
We agree with this general estimate of potentialities. 
2. The State of ocean mining (p. 132) 
The Report notes that the marine mining industry is in its infancy. World- 
wide there were in 1967 about 300 marine mining operations of all types. All were 
near shore; almost all were outside the United States. However, U.S. Govern- 
Ment agencies and private firms are engaged increasingly in exploration and 
technological development. But further progress toward commercial exploita- 
tion involves overcoming certain economic, technological, and institutional (legal 
and regulatory) obstacles. 
3. Economic Considerations (p. 133) 
The Report takes note of the fact that basic economic differences between off- 
shore oil and hard minerals have important government policy implications. Geo- 
logical structures controlling the distribution of oi] deposits generally extend 
seaward from land. This keeps down the cost of reconnaissance for exploration 
and of seaward extension of existing technology. This is not so with hard min- 
erals. ‘Also, mineral exploration techniques are more expensive because the 
horizontal dimensions of mineral deposits are smaller. The steps from discovery 
to production of minerals involve more effort and more costly technology. 
4. Technological Considerations (p. 133) 
The steps from discovery to production of minerals offshore involve much 
effort and novel technology. The lack of operating experience increases the risks 
of ocean mining ventures. The present practical depth of ore recovery in calm 
water is 150 feet. Beyond that depth technological activities are thus far ex- 
ploratory. Technological developments will be very costly. The Commission antici- 
pates that industry will wish to develop mineral recovery technology if the risks 
against an acceptable rate of return are not excessive; its recommendations are 
designed to encourage industry to do so, with Government help to the extent 
required. 
To this end the Report recommends (p. 135) : 
“that strong Federal support be provided for a program to advance the 
fundamental technology relevant to marine minerals exploration and recovery. 
Government and industry should work in close cooperation to develop more 
rapid geophysical exploration tools and improved marine sampling equipment. 
