EP1000202A1 - Appareil et procede d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais - Google Patents

Appareil et procede d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais

Info

Publication number
EP1000202A1
EP1000202A1 EP98938779A EP98938779A EP1000202A1 EP 1000202 A1 EP1000202 A1 EP 1000202A1 EP 98938779 A EP98938779 A EP 98938779A EP 98938779 A EP98938779 A EP 98938779A EP 1000202 A1 EP1000202 A1 EP 1000202A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suction
boom
underwater mining
mining apparatus
nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98938779A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Charles Francis Heyes
Johannes Duijzers
Ivor John Jones
Peter Looijen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NAMIBIAN MINERALS Corp Ltd
Original Assignee
NAMIBIAN MINERALS CORP Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB9716873A external-priority patent/GB9716873D0/en
Application filed by NAMIBIAN MINERALS CORP Ltd filed Critical NAMIBIAN MINERALS CORP Ltd
Publication of EP1000202A1 publication Critical patent/EP1000202A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/8858—Submerged units
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/90—Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
    • E02F3/92—Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/006—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes adapted for working ground under water not otherwise provided for
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F7/00—Equipment for conveying or separating excavated material
    • E02F7/005—Equipment for conveying or separating excavated material conveying material from the underwater bottom
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
    • E21C50/00—Obtaining minerals from underwater, not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of extracting mineral bearing (in particular diamondiferous) material at a submerged location, to underwater mining apparatus for extracting particulate material (particularly but not exclusively diamondiferous material), and to a method of operating underwater mining apparatus.
  • mineral bearing material This may be diamondiferous material, as an example, but could also for example be material bearing any precious metal (such as gold and in particular alluvial gold) or precious stones.
  • One aim of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for extracting mineral bearing material from beneath a covering layer of non-mineral- bearing material at a submerged location.
  • the invention provides a method of extracting mineral bearing material from beneath a covering layer of non-mineral-bearing material at a submerged location, the method comprising the steps of breaking through the covering layer by means of a downwardly-acting breaking tool carried by a submerged vessel, forming a suspension of particulate mineral bearing material and lifting the suspension to the surface.
  • the mineral bearing material is diamondiferous material and the non-mineral-bearing material is non-diamondiferous material.
  • the suspension is formed as a fluidised region by at least one water jet.
  • the fluidised region is formed by two water jets.
  • the submerged vessel is a vehicle supported on the covering layer.
  • the vehicle is a tracked vehicle.
  • the vessel moves the breaking tool substantially horizontally whilst the breaking tool projects into the covering layer, and thereby enlarges an opening in the covering layer.
  • the breaking tool comprises a boom-mounted cutting member with a serrated cutting surface and the serrated cutting surface is moved across the upper surface of the covering layer to enlarge the opening.
  • the cutting member has an elongate cutting surface with transverse serrations and has a generally convex profile in side view.
  • the cutting member extends across the mouth of a suction boom.
  • the downwardly-acting breaking tool applies a (substantially vertical) downward force to penetrate the covering layer.
  • the downward component of force applied by the breaking tool is at least 3 tonnes (27.4 kN), more preferably at least 5 tonnes (49 kN) and most preferably in the range 5 to 20 tonnes
  • a force of 5 tonnes is typically sufficient to break through a covering layer of sandstone of several hundred mm thickness, which commonly covers diamondiferous gravel, for example off the western coast of Southern Africa.
  • said drive means is arranged to exert a force having a downward component of at least 3 tonnes (29.4 kN).
  • said drive means is arranged to exert a force having a downward component of at least of 5 tonnes (49 kN).
  • the invention provides underwater mining apparatus for extracting particulate material from beneath the seabed, the apparatus comprising a submersible vessel including a cantilevered boom carried by the vessel and drive means arranged to force the free end of the boom downwardly against the seabed, the free end of the boom having a breaking tool and the drive means being arranged to apply a force having a downward component of at least 3 tonnes (29.4 kN).
  • said downward component has a value of at least 5 tonnes (49 kN), more preferably a value of from 5 to 20 tonnes (49 to 196 kN).
  • the breaking tool may be movable from side to side and backwards and forwards (as well as downwardly), to break the covering layer.
  • the breaking tool has a serrated cutting surface and extends transversely across the tip of the boom.
  • the serrated cutting surface has a generally convex profile in side view.
  • the boom is a tubular suction boom, which is suitably of a strengthened design.
  • means are provided for fluidising particulate material adjacent the mouth of the suction boom.
  • the vessel is a tracked vehicle.
  • Another aim of the present invention is to suspend relatively coarse material and to lift such material to the surface.
  • the invention provides underwater mining apparatus for extracting particulate material, the apparatus comprising a vehicle capable of travelling on the seabed, a suction boom carried on the vehicle, at least one jetting nozzle arranged to form a fluidised region of the particulate material adjacent the mouth of the suction boom, and means for pumping water through the or each nozzle, the pumping means and the or each nozzle being arranged to generate a flow velocity (at the or each nozzle outlet) sufficient to suspend particles of density 1800 kg/m 3 and diameter 100 mm in the fluidised region.
  • the pumping means and the or each nozzle is arranged to generate a flow velocity (at the or each nozzle outlet) sufficient to suspend particles of 200 mm diameter and density 1800 kg/m 3 in the fluidised region.
  • said pumping means is arranged to generate a total volume flow rate of water from the nozzle or all of nozzles of at least 100 m 3 /hr. More preferably, said pumping means is arranged to generate a total volume flow rate of water from the nozzle or all of the nozzles of from 200 to 2000 m 3 /hr. Most preferably, said pumping means is arranged to generate a total volume flow rate of water from the nozzle or all of the nozzles of from 500 to 1600 m 3 /hr.
  • a volume flow rate of about 1500 m 3 /hr and a jet velocity of from 26 to 60, preferably 28 to 43, m/s has been successfully employed to suspend particles of 200 mm diameter and density 1800 kg/m 3 in seawater.
  • a jet velocity of from 26 to 60, preferably 28 to 43, m/s has been successfully employed to suspend particles of 200 mm diameter and density 1800 kg/m 3 in seawater.
  • the or each nozzle is disposed substantially parallel to and about the periphery of the suction boom and is arranged to form a coherent jet.
  • the mouth of each nozzle is set back from the mouth of the suction boom by from 1 to 9, preferably 3 to 8, nozzle diameters.
  • means are provided at the mouth of the suction boom for preventing suction of particles having a particle size greater than a predetermined value.
  • the suction-preventing means is arranged to prevent suction of particles of maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than 100 mm, preferably 150 or 200 mm.
  • the suction-preventing means comprises at least one member extending transversely across the mouth of the suction boom.
  • a cutting member is mounted on or adjacent the mouth of the suction boom.
  • the cutting member has a serrated cutting surface and extends across the mouth of the suction boom.
  • the cutting member is an elongate member with transverse serrations and its cutting surface has a generally convex profile in side view.
  • the apparatus further comprises a drive means arranged to force the suction boom axially through a sandstone layer of thickness 200 mm or greater.
  • said drive means is arranged to exert a force having a downward component of at least 3 tonnes (29.4 kN).
  • said drive means is arranged to exert a force having a downward component of at least of 5 tonnes (49 kN).
  • a further aim of the invention in another aspect is to prevent blocking of a riser carrying suspended material to the surface.
  • the invention also provides underwater mining apparatus comprising suction means arranged to suck up suspended particulate material, pumping means arranged to pump the suspension through a riser towards the surface, means for monitoring the flow rate of the suspension and valve means arranged to introduce extra water into the suspension in response to a drop in flow rate below a predetermined value.
  • the flow rate being monitored may for example be a linear rate (velocity) or a volume flow rate.
  • the predetermined value is from 1 to 5, preferably 3 to 4.5 m/s.
  • the valve means is arranged to remain open for a period sufficient to enable all the suspended material in the riser to be pumped to the surface in response to the detection of such a drop in flow rate.
  • a dump valve is provided situated adjacent the lower end of the riser, and arranged to open in response to failure of the pumping means, allowing solids within the riser to exit via the dump valve.
  • the flow rate monitoring means comprises at least one of: a) means for sensing pressure in a flow path between a suction head and an inlet of the pumping means; b) means for sensing pressure in a flow path upstream of the pumping means; c) means for sensing flow velocity; and d) means for sensing density.
  • a further aim of the invention in other aspects is to alleviate problems caused by blocking the flow of the invention to the riser.
  • the invention provides a method of operating an underwater mining apparatus wherein a flow path between an inlet of a suction pump and a suction head which is normally arranged to convey a suspension of particulate material from the suction head to the inlet is substantially cut off to release suction at the suction head whilst water is introduced to the inlet of the suction pump to allow the suction pump to continue to operate.
  • the particulate material may in particular be mineral bearing material such as diamondiferous material.
  • the flow path is cut off by a valve in the flow path.
  • the valve is operated in response to a detected pressure condition in any flow path conveying said suspension.
  • the pressure condition includes at least one of: a) the pressure in the first-mentioned flow path, and b) the pressure upstream of the suction pump.
  • water is injected into said first-mentioned flow path upstream of the suction head to clear the particulate material from the flow path and/or suction head.
  • the invention also extends to underwater mining apparatus comprising a suction arrangement including a suction pump normally communicating with a suction head and arranged to draw up a suspension of particulate material from the suction head, means for substantially cutting off suction to the suction head and means for introducing water to an inlet of the suction pump to allow the pump to operate whilst suction to the suction head is cut off.
  • the means for substantially cutting off suction comprises a valve responsive to a pressure condition in a flow path conveying said suspension.
  • the apparatus comprises means for injecting water into said first- mentioned flow path upstream of the suction head.
  • the apparatus comprises means for sensing at least one of: a) the pressure in the first-mentioned flow path, and b) the pressure upstream of the suction pump, the cutting off means being responsive to an output of said sensing means.
  • the invention extends to diamonds or other minerals obtainable by any of the methods as aforesaid.
  • Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of an underwater mining vehicle
  • Figure 2 is a sketch perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view (that is from a direction orthogonal to the axis of the suction boom) of a nozzle arrangement and breaking tool of the vehicle;
  • Figure 3A is a plan view of a variant of the nozzle arrangement and breaking tool shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken on Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is an axial longitudinal cross-section of a nozzle used in the vehicle
  • Figure 6 is a cross-section showing the typical geological strata in which the vehicle is intended to operate;
  • Figure 7 is a rear elevation showing the vehicle in a channel cut out by its breaking tool, water jets and suction boom;
  • Figure 8 is a plan view showing the path of the vehicle and the operation of the suction boom and breaking tool
  • Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the riser arrangement of the vehicle.
  • Figure 10 is a front elevation of the suction boom mouth of the vehicle;
  • Figure 10A is a front elevation of a variant of the suction boom mouth shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation showing the initial cutting operation though a sandstone layer;
  • Figure 12 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing a subsequent cutting operation
  • Figure 13 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the subsequent fluidisation and suction of diamondiferous material
  • Figure 14 is a somewhat schematic elevation of an alternative embodiment of underwater mining vehicle.
  • the vehicle 28 runs on tracks 13 which are driven by a standard electro-hydraulic drive (not shown).
  • Two 500 kW, 3,300 V, 50 Hz motors 1 are mechanically coupled to the input of a gearbox 2 which combines the two drives and has a 3:1 reduction ratio.
  • This drive is transmitted via a bearing 4 to a gravel pump 3 which is a standard pump manufactured by Warman International Limited but, like the other equipment on the vehicle, is marinised to withstand the effects of a deep sea environment (for example, a depth of 100 to 200 metres).
  • the intake to the gravel pump 3 is connected to a flexible hose 5 which is coupled to a suction boom 22.
  • the suction boom 22 is carried on an arm 14 which is pivotally supported at 15 on a further arm 16 which is mounted on a pivotal support 17 on the chassis of the vehicle.
  • the entire upper chassis of the vehicle (that is, excluding the tracks 13) is rotatable about a vertical axis.
  • the angle of inclination of arm 14 is adjustable by a hydraulic cylinder 18 and, as shown in Figure 1, the arm can be oriented substantially vertically downwards.
  • a breaking tool in the form of a serrated cutting tooth 9 is carried on the tip of the suction boom 22.
  • the tip is manoeuvrable in the vertical plane to anywhere within the region 19 shown shaded in Figure 1.
  • the tooth is convex in side elevation.
  • the serrations are canted such that the greater abrasive action is achieved when the tooth is being pulled towards the body of the vehicle.
  • the cutting tooth could be replaced by one or more elongate punching picks parallel to the suction boom, which may be either fixed or movable with respect to the boom.
  • the machinery on the vehicle is protected by a space frame 12 which is shown more clearly in Figure 2.
  • the outlet of the gravel pump 3 is connected to a riser 27 ( Figure 2) which carries suspended material to a mother vessel (not shown) at the water surface.
  • the head 22a of the suction boom 22 is shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 10 and it will be seen that four jetting nozzles 20 protrude through apertures 33 in a substantially rectangular flange 21 and are disposed about the periphery of the suction boom. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flange and hence the entire head 22a is bolted to the remainder of the suction boom 22, thus allowing for replacement or interchanging of the head.
  • the mouths of the nozzles are set back by approximately 400 mm from the mouth of the boom, partly to provide protection for the nozzles and partly to provide a baffling effect preventing substantial flow inwardly into the mouth of the suction boom.
  • the nozzles are each protected by generally U-shaped shrouds 8 (not shown in Figure 2) which are attached to the exterior of the suction boom.
  • the serrated cutting tooth 9 extends diametrally across the mouth of the suction boom and intersects with a further member 34 which extends orthogonally across the mouth.
  • the quadrants in the mouth of the suction boom defined by the cutting tooth 9 and member 34 allow only particles of diameter 200 mm or less to pass through the suction boom, as indicated by particle 134 shown in phantom in Figure 10.
  • the vehicle is arranged to suspend only particles of diameter 200 mm or less, since larger particles could not easily be carried to the surface in the riser.
  • the wall of the mouth of the suction boom 22 tapers outwardly at each side (in the preferred embodiment by roughly 15%) to increase the area of each elongated quadrant as defined by member 34 and the cutting tooth 9; this is to avoid the cutting tooth covering too much of the surface area of the mouth and hence to increase the capacity of the suction boom 22.
  • the two jets 20 on the upper and forward region of the suction boom 22 are connected to a common manifold 7 which communicates with the outlet of a high power pump 6 ( Figure 2) having a capacity of 1,500 m 3 /hr at 8.2 bar.
  • each nozzle bore ( Figure 5) is 80 mm and it will be seen that the nozzle bore comprises an initial constant diameter portion 20A, a transition region 20B which is frusto-conical with an angle of taper of 7° and a final, reduced diameter outlet section having a diameter D of 80 mm.
  • the pump 6 is designed to produce a jet of water from each nozzle having a velocity between 28 and 43 m/s, typically about 35 m/s, and a flow rate of between, say, 500 and 1000 m 3 /hr. Below a velocity of 28 m/s or so agitation can become insufficient to move the gravel; and above 43 m/s or so the agitation may be too great and gravel and diamonds may be blown away.
  • the flow from the pump 6 can be directed to either the two jets 20 at the upper/forward end of the suction boom, or to the two jets 20 at the lower/rear side of the suction boom or to all four jets, according to the particular operation being performed.
  • the seabed on which the vehicle is designed to operate will typically have an upper layer of gravel 2 to 3 m in thickness, an intermediate layer 25 of sandstone drape typically 300 to 400 mm in thickness and a lower layer 24 of gravel, typically 1 to 1.5 m in thickness, resting on a layer of bedrock 23.
  • the layers of gravel 26 and 24 both contain diamonds. It is believed that only the upper layer 26 has hitherto been accessible to conventional undersea mining equipment.
  • the vehicle of this embodiment is arranged to fluidise the layer of gravel 26 and suck it up, and then to punch through the layer of sandstone 25 by applying a downward pressure of 5 to 20 tonnes (49 to 196 kN) by means of the cutting tooth 9 and the substantially vertically oriented suction boom 22 to enable the diamondiferous gravel layer 24 to be suspended and extracted.
  • a trench extending down to the bedrock 23 can be formed, as shown in Figure 7.
  • the downward pressure is then applied hydraulically via arm 16 and the cutting tooth 9 punches a hole in the sandstone drape 25 as shown.
  • the downward pressure may have a (vertically) downward component of, say, 3, 5 or up to 20 tonnes at maximum reach of the arm. A practical upper limit is given by the requirement not to raise any part of the vehicle off the surface on which it is resting.
  • the hole in the sandstone drape is enlarged by moving the substantially vertical suction boom forwardly, rearwardly or from side to side to break up the sandstone drape, rather in the manner of an icebreaker.
  • the chassis and associated boom 14 can swing by 270° and therefore all the drape within arc 29 (Figure 8) can be broken up to allow access to the gravel layer 24 beneath.
  • the cutting tooth 9 can be operated with a sawing action as indicated by arrow B to abrade the sandstone drape 25.
  • the suction boom can access the lower level of gravel 24 and the two lower/rearward jetting nozzles 20 generate jets of water 34 which form a vortex below the mouth of the suction boom, scouring the bedrock, and generate a fluidised region of gravel (keeping the gravel in suspension), which gravel is then sucked up by the suction boom as illustrated by arrow 35.
  • the mouth of the suction boom 22 is maintained at such a distance from the gravel that the nozzles 20 are typically no closer to the gravel than three times their diameter and typically no further away than ten times their diameter. This ensures their optimum effect and in particular can ensure that a wall of water can be generated through which neither the gravel nor diamonds can escape.
  • the typical path of the vehicle 28 is illustrated at 30 in Figure 8 and will be seen to comprise parallel tracks with curved transition regions during which the vehicle is steered by an appropriate differential drive to its two tracks 13.
  • the tracks 13 are 1.6 m wide and approximately 7 metres between the forward and rear axles giving a footprint of about 22 square metres which supports a submerged weight of 85 tonnes. It will be noted that the vehicle does not need to turn around when moving from track to track.
  • a control arrangement as shown in Figure 9 is employed.
  • the pump 3 sucks up the suspension from the suction boom 22 via a conduit 128 which has an inlet upstream of the pump governed by a waste gate valve 29.
  • Valve 29 is controlled by an output signal from a control arrangement 33 which receives an input signal from a density/velocity meter 31 which measures the flow velocity of the pumped mixture as well as its density.
  • the density/velocity meter 31 is suitably a radioactive density/inductive velocity transmitter which also generates a signal indicating mass flow rate of material for use by the operator of the vehicle.
  • the control arrangement 33 opens the waste gate valve 29 which allows water to be drawn into the pump suction side, thereby diluting the suspension, and therefore retains the velocity through the pump and the riser 27 to the surface. This prevents loss of flow; too low a velocity in the discharge pipe would result in the dredged material falling out of transported suspension, thus falling to the bottom of the discharge riser pipe 27 and causing blockage.
  • the waste gate valve 29 remains open for a period of 20 seconds before closing automatically, which allows all the dredged mixture sufficient time to rise to the surface and out of the riser 27. Then the riser contains only water and so the waste gate valve 29 can close without further risk of a blockage occurring in the riser.
  • Normal working velocity of the pumped mixture is in the region of 6.0 to 6.5 m/s.
  • an additional dump valve 32 is situated at the lower end of the riser 27. Should the dredge pump 3 unexpectedly stop then a monitoring signal from this pump is detected by control arrangement 33 which causes dump valve
  • a status indicator for the valve is incorporated in the operator's control display (not shown).
  • a pressure sensor 31a is provided which could sense a change in pressure caused, for example, by a stone blocking the conduit 128. The output from the sensor may be used to open the waste gate valve 29 or stop the pump 6.
  • a knife gate valve 138 is provided in conduit 128 and is operated in conjunction with the waste gate valve 29 under the control of controller 33 to block the flow in the conduit. If it becomes necessary to unblock the suction boom 22, knife gate valve 138 is closed, with the result that the flow velocity detected by meter 31 falls and triggers the opening of waste gate valve 29, which allows water into the inlet of pump 3 and maintains the flow of suspended material downstream of the pump. Instead of the waste gate valve being opened as a result of a fall in flow velocity detected by the meter 31, that valve may be opened simultaneously with closure of the knife gate valve.
  • Closure of the knife gate valve in addition to opening of the waste gate valve reduces the suction in the suction boom to zero. If the knife gate were not closed, in practice there might be sufficient suction in the suction boom to prevent satisfactory unblocking of the boom.
  • a conduit 130 connected to high pressure water from pump 6, is provided with an injection valve 134 which in turn is controlled by an output signal from controller 33 to inject water into the flow path (at a pressure of 15 Bar) between suction boom 22 and valve 138.
  • controller 33 controls an output signal from controller 33 to inject water into the flow path (at a pressure of 15 Bar) between suction boom 22 and valve 138.
  • a pressure transducer 132 communicating with conduit 130 detects clearance of the blockage by the consequential drop in pressure and terminates the flushing operation by a signal to controller 33.
  • Controller 33 generates an output signal in response which closes valve 132.
  • a further advantage of the unblocking arrangement described above is that it can afford a clean start and stop for the gravel pump 3, for example if the pump needs to be turned off for maintenance.
  • the apparatus is provided with additional transducers to enable an adequate flow rate to be maintained, namely a differential vacuum transducer 136 which detects negative differential pressure (that is pressure below the local underwater pressure) upstream of valve 138 and accordingly provides an early indication of blockage, and a pressure transducer
  • density/velocity meter 31 may if necessary comprise two separate sections, a density meter and a separate velocity meter.
  • controller 33 opens waste gate valve 29 in order to allow pump 3 to suck in water and boost the downstream velocity of the suspension.
  • the injection valve 134 is opened during this procedure to flush the suction boom 22 and associated section of conduit 128 until the differential transducer 136 shows that pressure in conduit 128 has returned to a normal value. When all the transducers are showing their normal values then the arrangement is returned to its normal status and dredging is continued.
  • FIG 14 An alternative preferred embodiment of underwater mining vehicle is shown in Figure 14, in which like parts to those described with reference to the previous embodiment are accorded like reference numerals.
  • the alternative embodiment is to all intents and purposes the same as the previous embodiment, except that the riser 27 is located in the alternative embodiment near the rear of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle is suitably a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and can be provided with suitable cameras and other sensors enabling it to be controlled from the surface.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un véhicule (28) d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais, qui est équipé d'un bras (22) d'aspiration portant une fraise (9) à son extrémité avant, et comportant un ensemble de buses (20) placées autour de sa périphérie. Au cours de l'utilisation du véhicule, le bras est orienté verticalement et permet d'appliquer une force descendante de 5 à 20 tonnes (49 à 196 kN) sur une surface de nappe de grès recouvrant une couche de gravier diamantifère. Cette opération permet de casser la nappe et de faire accéder le bras d'aspiration au gravier diamantifère. Les deux buses (20) inférieure/arrière produisent des jets de forte pression qui forment une zone fluidisée dans le gravier, et permettent de suspendre des particules présentant jusqu'à 200 mm de diamètre, ces particules étant ensuite aspirées en suspension via le bras d'aspiration, et remontées à la surface où s'effectue l'extraction de diamants.
EP98938779A 1997-08-08 1998-08-10 Appareil et procede d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais Withdrawn EP1000202A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9716873A GB9716873D0 (en) 1997-08-08 1997-08-08 Underwater mining apparatus and method
GB9716873 1997-08-08
GB9717456 1997-08-18
GB9717456A GB9717456D0 (en) 1997-08-08 1997-08-18 Underwater mining apparatus and method
PCT/GB1998/002403 WO1999007949A1 (fr) 1997-08-08 1998-08-10 Appareil et procede d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1000202A1 true EP1000202A1 (fr) 2000-05-17

Family

ID=26312041

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938779A Withdrawn EP1000202A1 (fr) 1997-08-08 1998-08-10 Appareil et procede d'exploitation sous-marine de minerais

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1000202A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU8738498A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999007949A1 (fr)

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SG187841A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2013-03-28 Deep Reach Technology Inc Subsea excavation systems and methods
GB2495286B (en) * 2011-10-03 2015-11-04 Marine Resources Exploration Internat Bv A method of recovering a deposit from the sea bed
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