mining certain bottom deposits more attractive 
than another. 
F. Forecast 
Figure 48 represents an estimated forecast for 
economic ocean mining endeavors. To date ocean 
mining has not attracted significant private capital 
for noteworthy domestic commercial operations. 
There is, however, sufficient international activity 
to serve as a foundation for future domestic 
commercial ventures. However, before any sizeable 
commercial ventures are attempted, much addi- 
tional exploration of the ocean is required. There 
is not enough knowledge to motivate even the 
boldest managements to commit the large sums 
required for a deep ocean venture. The assurance 
of attractive ocean bottom deposits is simply too 
meager for more than exploratory company com- 
mitments. Stimulus would be added if 
Government-sponsored bathymetric and geological 
survey programs provided enough information to 
enable managements to make confident decisions 
leading to serious ocean prospecting and subse- 
quent commitments to mining system hardware. 
G. Government Role 
The present Government program to encourage 
the development of an ocean mining industry 
considers the vital need to provide information for 
sound economic evaluation of ocean mineral de- 
posits. Because of technical difficulty and high 
cost, it is most logical that the Government should 
sponsor the initial broad surveys. When sufficient 
data are accumulated to warrant further action, 
the emphasis should shift to assistance in develop- 
ing fundamental technology useful for exploita- 
tion. major hardware commitments 
should be the responsibility of industry. 
As far as the Department of the Interior is 
concerned, the task of broad-scale location and 
delineation of mineral deposits is divided between 
the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines. 
The former is concerned principally with general 
geological characterization, while the latter is 
concerned with techniques for resource evaluation 
and recovery technology. 
There has been recent increased emphasis in the 
Bureau of Mines program for marine minerals 
because of immediate needs for new sources of 
However, 
Figure 48 
ESTIMATED OCEAN MINING TECHNOLOGY TIME TABLE! 
Depth of Water (feet) 
50 300 600 1,000 
Underwater Photographic Reconnaissance 
(analogous to aerial photographs) 1960 1964 1970 1975 
Submersible (for exploration 
coring) bk 1965 1967 1970 1970 
Barge Dredge (ladder) 1900 1970 = - 
Barge Dredge (suction) . 1930 1970 1980 1985 
Stationary Mining Platform 1960 1970 1975 1980 
Mining Using Air Lift Device . 1960 1970 1975 1980 
Mobile On-Bottom Mining Platform 1970 1972 1975 1980 
Buoyant Submersible Platform - 1975 1980 1985 
Solution Mining (Sulfur, Potash) 1960 1980 1985 2000 
Hardrock Mining (tunneling from land, 
approximate dates) 1900 1920 1950 1960 
Shaft Mining . . . . .). 1950 1970 1980 2000 
Underwater Open Pit Hardrock 
Mining 1968 1980 1990 2000 
' Mining in this table refers to the recovery operation. 
Source: Adapted from Pehrson, G. O., ‘Mining Industry’s Role in Development of Undersea Mining,’ MTS Transac- 
tions, Exploiting the Ocean: 1966, p. 195. 
VI-187 
