Pasifik Ada ülkelerinde derin deniz madenciliği, Vanuatu'nun madencilik potansiyeli ve İTÜ işbirliği

Deep Sea Mining Applications are investigated in this study. After the introduction and the objective of the research, in the second section of the thesis, deep sea mining is defined and reasons behind developments of deep sea mining are explained. The process of mineral occurrence at the seafloor is explained and the three different types of seafloor mineralization are defined. Terrestrial mining and deep-sea mining is also compared. The deep sea mining applications are the exploration and exploitation of three main groups of mineral deposits namely seafloor massive sulphides, manganese nodules and cobalt rich crusts. The target minerals in the deep-sea mining in generally are the manganese, cobalt, copper, silver and gold. These are main metals used in mobile phones, tablet computers, PCs and electric cars With the development of technology, demand for the metal in the world is increasing, grade values of precious metals are dramatically decreasing in terrestrial mining, metal prices are also increasing. These facts has been leading to deep sea mining exploration in the recent years. Seabed minerals could therefore attract lucrative values in the world market. Typical value of a tone of land based ore is between 50-180 USD. Typical value of a tone of SMS ore: 800 – 1500 USD. The limiting factors dealing with deep-sea mining are the political and legal aspects. Legal and political issues related to exploration, exploitation, and marketing of sea floor minerals must be resolved. One of the biggest issues for deep-sea mining is the environment at seafloor. So, negative effects of the deep sea mining to the ecology must be considered and balanced with the benefits of mining exploitation methods. The ecosystem at seafloor is also briefly determined. In the third part of the thesis deep sea mining exploration in the Pacific Island Countries is introduced. This is based on the collaboration between the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the European Union (EU). All Pacific Island Countries have low economic profiles because of their large distance to the global big markets. So realization of the deep sea mining activities in the Exclusive Economic Zones of these countries will provide great support to their economies. The mining activities will create lots of different sectors such as machinery, ore dressing, housing and needs for educated young people in the mining sectors. The sharing of the tenements among the mining companies is also given to be able to establish the link between the Turkish Mining sector especially based in Australia. The current tenement holder companies will need partners. In all Pacific Island Countries stated above, deep sea mining activities are at the first stage. DSM training workshops have been held. Representatives of relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, and DSM experts have been invited and supported to attend. Private sector representatives have also been invited to attend at their own cost. Workshops specifically focused on "Deep Sea Minerals Law", "Government-Company Contract Negotiations", "Environment" and "Social Impacts of Deep Sea Mining". In the fourth part, mining potential of Vanuatu is analyzed. Although there is no current exploitation for terrestrial mining in Vanuatu, this country has also rich gold, copper, silver and manganese deposits. Similarly Vanuatu has rich seafloor Massive Sulphides in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Surveys carried out within Vanuatu waters show deposits of polymetallic seafloor massive sulphides (SMS), found at sub-sea hydrothermal vent sites. The first ever sample recovered in one of the research cruise had a sample assayed at 40% zinc. Vanuatu deep sea mineral exploration is in its early stages and a lot of work is yet needed to understand the geology and the environment at which these deposits exist. In the fifth part, Deep See Mineral Policy subjects in Vanuatu is investigated in detail. Establishment of the mining engineering department at the South Pacific University in Vanuatu and possible collaboration with ITU are on the agenda. In this part preparation processes for the deep sea mining in Vanuatu are explained in detail. In order to realize the mining activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Vanuatu, Vanuatu government started a national consultation on a draft Deep Sea Minerals Policy in 2014. The author also involved in this consultation meetings as member of Vanuatu National Offshore Committee.