Deep Sea Minerals - Vol 3 - Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts

4.2.4 Dewatering plant The dewatering plant, situated on the PSV, will dewater the mine slurry to below the transportable moisture limit for the ore, while minimizing material losses. The seawater, which has been sepa- rated from the ore, will likely be discharged back to sea. The loca- tion of the discharge (i.e., near the sea-floor or within themidwater column) will likely depend on the total depth of water being oper- ated in among other (including environmental) factors. 4.2.5 Onshore logistics / ore handling Ore may either be transported directly from the PSV to market or, alternatively, taken to a port close to the mine site. Current indica- tions appear to be that the ports of small Pacific Island countries are unlikely to be used for this purpose. The port would likely be used for onshore ore handling, stockpiling, and load-out opera- tions, as well as for storage of spares, equipment, and supplies. Ore transportation, handling, offloading, and stockpiling are well-established and well-understood operations. If unloading, stockpiling, and load-out of ore onto transportation vessels is un- dertaken at port, the onshore storage and load-out facilities at the port will receive ore from the offshore site via transportation barges and stockpile for subsequent load-out onto bulk carriers for trans- portation to a concentrator site or direct delivery to smelters.

COBALT-RICH FERROMANGANESE CRUSTS 46

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