🚀 go-pugleaf

In article 13239@cs.rochester.edu, dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz) writes:
>In article <JMC.92Dec28192905@SAIL.Stanford.EDU> jmc@cs.Stanford.EDU writes:
>
>> Let me add to the previous post the estimate that the total amount of
>> matter humanity has processed in its history is less than 10^12 tons.
>
>Some interesting facts:
>
>Estimated mass of manganese nodules on the ocean floors:  ~ 10^12 tons.
>
>Average concentration of metals in nodules (percent)
>
>	Element		World Average	Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone
>	--------------------------------------------------------------
>	  Mn		   18.6			25.4
>	  Fe		   12.47		 6.66
>	  Ni		     .66		 1.27
>	  Cu		     .45		 (not listed, > .45)
>	  Co		     .27		 1.02
>
>
>World-wide, nodules are estimated to contain billions of tons of
>copper and nickel, and enough manganese to supply current mine demand
>for that element for roughly 10,000 years.  Additional sources of
>metals (such as copper and cobalt) are available as crusts on the sea
>floor, and in massive sulfides deposited at mid-ocean ridges and then
>carried away by plate motion.
>
>	Paul F. Dietz
>	dietz@cs.rochester.edu


This is great except that companies are limited to mining only nodules that
occur withing their territorial waters.  All other nodules are considered
"property of the earth" and are to be shared by all nations equally.  Needless
to say this removes much of the profit motive for sea bed mining.

There is a U.N. Treaty that covers undersea resources. (with the possible exception
of oil).  Does anyone know what the treaty precisely says?

Mike Kirby
Xerox Corp
E-mail: kirby.roch803@xerox.com