TN Mtn Man
Member
The refining process should be pretty straight forward. Nodules are nearly pure metals, a combination of Mn, Co, Ni and Cu IIRC. So it's just a matter of separating those different elements. No refining and concentrating from low-concentration ore, nearly all the nodule has commercial value. Now, rather the extraction can be done cost effectively is a good question. Several miles deep-but they are just sitting on the ocean floor. Hoping they make a deal with TSLA.It all depends on the economics. I don't think they've proven they can extract and refine industrial quantity metals at economic prices yet.
They recently got approval (FINALLY!) from the International Seabed Authority to start experimental harvesting in the Clarion Clipperton Zone.