Nautilus Minerals to Test Seafloor Mining Tools

[Chrispy]

Nautilus Minerals to Test Seafloor Mining Tools
Posted by Eric Haun April 18, 2017

Canada based Nautilus Minerals Inc. said its Seafloor Production Tools have arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and will shortly commence submerged trials.

Nautilus’ CEO Mike Johnston said, “We are delighted to be undertaking submerged trials in PNG. The trials will result in money and investment going into the PNG economy, and the employment of Papua New Guineans in state-of-the-art technology which are some of the key benefits of seafloor production. The trials also allow us to work closely with our partner Petromin, government officers from the various government agencies, as well as representatives from Provincial Governments of New Ireland and East New Britain.”

The submerged trials will take place in an existing facility on Motukea Island, near Port Moresby in PNG.

Nautilus was granted the first mining lease and environmental permit for polymetallic seafloor massive sulphide deposits at the prospect known as Solwara 1, in the territorial waters of PNG, where in the coming years it is aiming to produce copper, gold and silver.

http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/news...ing-547422

[maui4marko]

The submerged trials will take place in an existing facility on Motukea Island, near Port Moresby in PNG.

Here's a couple likely locations for the submerged trials:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.115707

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.103431

[smac]

The submerged trials will take place in an existing facility on Motukea Island, near Port Moresby in PNG.

Here's a couple likely locations for the submerged trials:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.115707

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.103431

Too shallow and open to the harbor.  Take a look at -09.4258, 147.1058.  Sat photos are not current, but there appears to be a 80 by 40 meter "pool" at this location

[maui4marko]

shallow and open to the harbor.  Take a look at -09.4258, 147.1058.  Sat photos are not current, but there appears to be a 80 by 40 meter "pool" at this location

How deep do you think that "pool" is?  Much shallower than the harbor?

Perhaps they'll flood this "dry pool" -9.426167, 147.106528

[smac]

shallow and open to the harbor.  Take a look at -09.4258, 147.1058.  Sat photos are not current, but there appears to be a 80 by 40 meter "pool" at this location

How deep do you think that "pool" is?  Much shallower than the harbor?

Perhaps they'll flood this "dry pool" -9.426167, 147.106528

Right.  Recent satellite photos show the "pool/pond" is full.  Here's an overlooked quote from Mile Johnson:dated 4/4/2017 (Post Courier)

"The machines will not be deployed into the ocean, so there will be no inpact on the seafloor around Motukea Island.  Instead, the machines will operate in an existing, fully-enclosed excavation on the island."

[smac]

shallow and open to the harbor.  Take a look at -09.4258, 147.1058.  Sat photos are not current, but there appears to be a 80 by 40 meter "pool" at this location

How deep do you think that "pool" is?  Much shallower than the harbor?

Perhaps they'll flood this "dry pool" -9.426167, 147.106528

The pool/pond is immediately to the left (west) of the site you marked.  See the coordinates I gave earlier.

[Chrispy]

Very cool thank you!

[GGGGG]

FWIW, my recollection is the pool is an unfinished dry dock. Maybe Nautilus can finish the excavation work.

[maui4marko]

FWIW, my recollection is the pool is an unfinished dry dock. Maybe Nautilus can finish the excavation work.

G5 - do you remember where you read this?  That would seem to indicate the (currently) "dry pool" next to the "wet pool" SMAC marked the location of.

[scampoco]

Maui said:

Here's a couple likely locations for the submerged trials:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.115707

https://www.google.com/maps/place/9%C2%B...147.103431

I ask: there seems to be some interesting activity at 9.4717153  147.100327 on land just up from the last point that M4M listed here last (near the Napa Napa Road loop on the upper left side of the image within the shipyard).  Do you think it is normal "sand" activity or could it be some pre-submersion testing and training?  Not sure of the timeline of the image.