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Deep seabed mining is not currently technologically viable

Deep seabed mining has not taken off because the technology to exploit the seabeds is not at a state where it would be economically viable to do so.

Keywords: 
Deep Seabed Mining
Related Quotes: 
  • Still an open question as to whether or not deep seabed mining will ever be economically viable
  • Commercial mining of rare earth metals from sea floor still a decade away
Parent Arguments: 
  • U.S. can mine the deep seabed without ratifying UNCLOS
Counter Argument: 
  • Deep seabed mining is technologically feasible

VERSUS

Deep seabed mining is technologically feasible

The technology for deep-sea mining is already widely available, consisting of mining support platform or vessel; a launch and recovery system; a crawler with a mining head, centrifugal pump and vertical transport system; and electrical, control, instrumentation and visualization systems. Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Soil Machine Dynamics, IHC Mining and Bauer or Nautilus Minerals are developing vehicles for deep-sea mining, pledging they are in the position to readily develop techniques to operate down to 5,000 metre depth. 

Keywords: 
Deep Seabed Mining
Related Quotes: 
  • No technical or financial barriers remain for deep seabed mining -- gold rush imminent
  • Technology to mine deep seabed similar enough to offshore oil development to not present technical barrier
Parent Arguments: 
  • U.S. has significant economic interests in emerging deep seabed mining industry
Counter Argument: 
  • Deep seabed mining is not currently technologically viable

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