from radio australia
A mining company, Nautilus Minerals, has contracted an exploration vessel to look for seafloor minerals in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The 70-metre, 2000-tonne geoscience ship is equipped with a remote-controlled submarine.
It will leave Singapore for the Pacific on August 10. The contract is for a 124- day trip, with an extension of up to 98 days.
Nautilus has already discovered substantial seafloor deposits of gold, silver, copper and zinc in Papua New Guinea and Tonga. The company is planning to be the first in the world to begin commercial seafloor mining.
PHOTO: Beach at Honiara, Solomon Islands. Further out, the ocean floor is to be combed by a mineral-seeking submarine. [Radio Australia]
