.jpeg)
1) Nauru Ocean Resources (NORI), a subsidiary of The Metals Company (TMC), is sharing insights about the impact of seafloor sediment plumes a year after its 2022 test mining campaign. NORI's data suggests the sediment creates a low-lying plume along the seafloor, not dispersing widely into the water column. TMC holds exploration rights in the Pacific's Clarion Clipperton Zone, focusing on mining nodules containing critical minerals. Around 3000, tons of these nodules have been collected so far. NORI collaborated with DHI Water and Environment during the collection period to monitor the plumes, deploying assets and sensors over a 4 x 2 km test field and creating a verified plume model. Contrary to some activist group models, TMC asserts that the sediment's dispersal is influenced by gravity and seafloor contours, not ocean currents. NORI's environmental manager, Dr. Michael Clarke, emphasizes the importance of scientific research over speculation. The Metals Company plans to commence deep-sea mining by late 2025, aiming to to extract minerals while navigating the scientific, environmental, and activist concerns surrounding this industry.
2) Billionaire Gautam Adani upcoming copper plant in India, set to begin operations in March, will significantly boost the country's copper production by 80%, with an initial capacity of 500,000 tons annually. This launch coincides with a global ore supply crunch following the closure of a major mine in Panama and cuts at Anglo American operations. India, aligning with global trends in copper production expansion, aims to strengthen its position in this essential metal's supply chain, crucial for the shift away from fossil fuels. However, this growth has led to challenges, notably impacting smelter profitability as ore supply struggles to keep pace with increasd production capacity. India's reliance on copper imports, primarily from South America, will potentially reach 2 million tons by 2024 from an estimated 1.3 million tons this year. The Adani plant is projected to import up to 1 million tons of overseas copper concentrate in its first year, possibly rising to 2.6 million tons at peak capacity utilization. This substantial increase aims to meet rising domestic demand driven by infrastructure spending and the nation's transition to renewable energy.