The conceptual design of a novel offshore borehole mining technology and study on granularization principle

Abstract

Currently, subsea mining is primarily limited to sea sand extraction and deep-sea mining that focus mainly on mining activities at the seabed surface. These conventional methods not only pose significant environmental risks but are also struggles to exploit sub-seabed mineral deposits. It is necessary to explore new methods, new technologies and new equipment for the safe and efficient development of resources within the strata beneath the ocean floor without damaging the seabed and the marine environment. In this study, a novel offshore borehole mining technical concept is proposed for extracting mineral resources from sub-seabed marine strata. In addition, This study further investigated the granulation law of rocks under energy injection conditions based on the proposed concept of offshore borehole mining technology, and providing robust theoretical support for the offshore borehole mining technical concept.

Furthermore, this study presents the offshore borehole mining technology and equipment.The offshore borehole mining process utilizes a complex wellbore network, drilled from a offshore platform into the underlying mineral deposits. The wellbore system enables three-dimensional, controlled mining centered around the well axis. A serpentine, flexible borehole mining equipment is deployed into the well to facilitate ore extraction and transport. Solid minerals are mined in a controlled manner via a network of slurry-filled chambers. Upon completion of mining, tailings or aggregates are used for in-situ backfilling, thereby enabling efficient extraction of mineral resources beneath the seabed without the need for personnel to enter the shafts or construct tunnels.