FSUE VNIIOkeangeologia named after I. S. Gramberg:

Y. V. Neizvestnov, Head of Laboratory, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, phone: +7 (812) 710-83-24

V. A. Kosheleva, Leading Researcher, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences

N. A. Kurinny, Senior Researcher

FSUSPE «Polar Marine Geosurvey Expedition»:

M. L. Samovarov, Chief Geologist of Ocean Party

The Central Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences at Pulkovo:

E. V. Polyakov, Divisional Manager, Candidate of Physico-Mathematical Sciences

It is specified the notion “mining and geological conditions” in respect to the development of the deep-sea polymetallic sulfide deposits, which may be imagined as a system of the knowledge. This ststem allows to predict the interactions of the surrounding components (geological, aqueous, aerial, biological etc.) with the mechanisms and facilities used for the exploration, production and transportation of the deep-sea polymetallic sulfides (DSPS). It is confirmed that the studies of the mining and geological conditions of the deep-sea minerals industrial development should be carried out by the integrated engineering, geodesic, geological, hydro meteorological and ecological studies.

The authors consider the conditions of forming the components of geological environment of the DSPS facilities, with a focus on the mineral resources. The features of ore body formation, host rocks, created by them bottom relief, magmatic processes, volcanism and hydrothermal activity are connected with the processes, which take place in the lithosphere tension zone. Its axis matches the rift valley of the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Basing on the kinetic theory of fluids by J. Frenkel, it is demonstrated the forming of the tension zones at the expense of the exogenous energy and mass transfer.

There are given the data which allow to assert, that, contrary to the dominating opinion, the sea bottom hydrotherms could not be formed due to the deep penetration of near-bottom seawater into the Earth’s oceanic crust and the following return into the ocean. While returning into the ocean, the hydrotherms are overheated and contain new micro and macro salt components. These hydrotherms represent the juvenile fluids.

In this article, there is given a short description of the basic components of the mining and geological conditions of industrial development of DSPS. The comparison of the conditions of DSPS development with conditions of development of deep-water ferromanganese formations (FMF) is given. It is shown that the exploration and development of DSPS is more complicated than the development of the deep-water FMF. The thickness of DSPS layers may reach 100 meters or more. The thicknesses of the layers of FMF reach 100 cm and more. The sea bottom relief near the pipe complexes of DSPS abundance is much more complicated than the relief in the FMF deposits. Hazardous geological processes and phenomena at the hydrothermal fields are more intensive than in the places of FMF occurrence. DSPS, which are lifted on board in the form of detritus, cores and ore mass, are a hazardous load, due to the toxic and inflammable gases growth of the temperature at oxidation up to the burning point. This needs the specialized equipment and vessels, which are primarily aimed at protecting the operators at sea. The DSPS objects are accompanied with the unique hydrothermal biota, which protection needs the specialized techniques of exploration and development.

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