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The economics of mining seabed manganese nodules: A case study of the Indian Ocean nodule field |
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| Authors: | Ranadhir Mukhopadhyay Sankalp Naik Shawn De Souza Ozinta Dias Sridhar D Iyer Anil K Ghosh |
| Institution: | 1. Centre for Contemporary Research, Dona Paula, Goa, India;2. ranadhirm@yahoo.com;4. Department of Management Studies, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, India;5. CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, India;6. Department of Geology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Abstract: | AbstractBecause of ever-growing demand for strategic metals, the focus of the international community has fallen on deep sea manganese nodules occurring at a water depth of more than 4500?m. We present an economic appraisal and strategy for mining of nodules from the Indian Ocean Nodule Field- one of the four economically potential areas in the world oceans. In contrast to the prevailing perception of non-viability of nodule mining, our analysis indicates a fair degree of economic feasibility and commercial sustainability to mine the deep-sea manganese nodules. |
| Keywords: | Indian Ocean Manganese nodules Deep sea mining Commercial feasibility Economics |