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Seabed mineral resources have relatively low TREO contents, low TREO grades, and significant TREO yields compared to the large terrestrial LREE-rich carbonatite-hosted deposits but are comparable to the terrestrial HREE-rich ion-adsorption clay deposits [92]. One of the issues preventing the start of REE projects in the EU concerns the possible impacts on the environment. Localities with similar deposits are found in Brazil (Serra Verde project) and Madagascar (Tantalus project) [18]. Earth Environ. Nodules that acquire metals from both sources (mixed type) are the most common and include the well-known CCZ nodules [33]. A. Ardron, A. Colao, J. M. Durden. Ecological impacts comprise mainly alteration of habitat and benthic communities, sediment disturbance and plume discharges, release of toxic compounds, light and noise generation, thermal pollution, air emissions, etc. Deep-Sea Res. 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The European, National, and International programs related to the research, exploration, and exploitation of marine minerals, and environmental impact studies of marine mining activities, will play pivotal roles in the emerging Blue Economy and sustainable industrial growth. Study Ser. Further progress in restoration science, technology, and training will improve the protection of deep-sea ecosystems. Ongoing exploration projects in Europe are interrupted or slowly progressing, such as Norra Karr in Sweden, Storkwitz in Saxony, Kvanefjeld and Kringlerne in Greenland, Fen in Norway, and Sokli in Finland. Sci. Deposits in agpaitic nepheline syenites are commonly characterized by low Th and U contents. Often, these fears arise because marine mining may directly interfere with their business such as fishing or tourism. They may contain various chemicals, such as biocide antifouling agents, corrosion inhibitors, etc. The socio-economic impacts of deep-sea mining will mainly occur at the end of the value chain where mineral resources will be processed on land and where they may have an influence on the price development of the global metal market. 5). Artificial light emissions will occur from seabed mineral collectors supplied with strong lights that allow for camera control of the mining operations, as well as from ROVs used for monitoring the mining process. Rep. 8, 8 (2018), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23948-5.Search in Google Scholar, [47] H. R. Kudrass. Richards Bay in South Africa, Fort Dauphin along the southeast coast of Madagascar, and numerous placers on beaches and offshore in China (Fig. Ferromanganese crusts from seamounts near the Marshall Islands, in the northwest Pacific Ocean, have a mean TREO content of 0.185% (varying between 0.086 and 0.387%). 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Large volumes of ambient water are usually used during the excavation and pre-processing operations as well as for the dilution of the ore and the successive pumping of the slurry to the surface; potential effects include fish disturbances while various zooplanktonic species might be sucked up with the water mass and killed [67]. It was assessed that the ore tonnage is 16.5109tonnes and the total basket price is 26.05USD/kg. Task Group Members for this project were: Francisco J. Gonzalez, James R. Hein, Blanca Rincn-Toms, Nikolaos Arvanitidis, and Thomas Kuhn. The 2020 list of Critical Raw Materials reflects societies growing demand for an ever-increasing number and quantity of minerals and metals supply that enable the green energy and technology sectors [7]. 41, 218 (2014), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2013.12.013.Search in Google Scholar, [16] S. Jaireth, D. M. Hoatson, Y. Miezitis. A. Karson, D. K. Blackman, G. L. Frh-Green, D. A. Butterfield, M. D. Lilley, E. J. Olson, M. 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At Bear Lodge deposit (in USA), the TREO content is 2.6 to 3.2 %, the TREO grade is 2.6 to 2.8 %, the ore tonnage is 14106 to 27106tonnes, the TREO content is 395 to 686kilotonnes, and the total basket price is 11.56USD/kg [92].