Environmental Factors for Design and Operation of Deep-Sea Mining System: Based on Case Studies

This chapter brings together environmental factors that are expected to influence the design and operation of deep-sea mining system for polymetallic nodules. The study analyzes possible effects of various environmental factors from nodule-bearing areas in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) and compares it with available data from the Pacific Ocean. Similar applications can be envisaged for different mineral deposits in other ocean basins as well.