Resources Estimation of polymetallic nodule deposits in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, northeast Pacific

Since early 1990s, Korea has been carrying out researches on the development of deep seabed mineral resources to achieve two national strategic goals: 1) to secure the stable long-term supply source of strategic metals such as Cu, Ni and Co and 2) to create new marine industries related to seabed mining. We estimated polymetallic nodule abundance using hundreds of photographs acquired from a deep tow camera system in 4 separete blocks. The average abundances of each block are 5.88kg/m2, 5.07kg/m2, 8.67kg/m2, and 8.78kg/m2. Abundances from deep tow camera data show similar patterns on distribution and tendency compared with those from FFG data, although average values between two data sets are somewhat different. QQ-plot also represent linear and close to the tie line. and 2) to create new marine industries related to seabed mining. We estimated polymetallic nodule abundance using hundreds of photographs acquired from a deep tow camera system in 4 separete blocks. The average abundances of each block are 5.88kg/m2, 5.07kg/m2, 8.67kg/m2, and 8.78kg/m2. Abundances from deep tow camera data show similar patterns on distribution and tendency compared with those from FFG data, although average values between two data sets are somewhat different. QQ-plot also represent linear and close to the tie line.1