The Metals Company and Allseas have announced the successful deepwater commissioning of its riser pipe and jumper hose. These tools are designed to lift polymetallic nodules from the seafloor to the surface. The nodules typically fit inside the palm of your hand .
Once the sub-sea connection was made, Allseas then used a derrick that was previously used for at-sea construction of the pilot riser system that extends to 4 kilometers deep. There are plans to deploy it later this year in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.The Metals Company said that the pilot system being tested by Allseas will be the basis for its first commercial production system. Inannounced by both companies, they outlined the terms for developing and operating the system.
These nodules have high grades of nickel, manganese, copper, and cobalt, which are key for building EV batteries and other renewable energy technologies. The Metals Company noted that the development of technologies to collect polymetallic nodules started in the 1970s when oil, gas, and mining companies such as Shell and Sumitomo were able to successfully conduct a pilot test in the CCZ. They collected over 10,000 tons of nodules.