Conclusion of Pilot Nodule Collection System Trials

Key points

• Engineers drove the pilot collector vehicle over 80 km across the seafloor in NORI-D, collecting approximately 4,500 tonnes of polymetallic nodules.
• The system lifted over 3,000 tonnes of nodules up a 4.3-km riser to the surface vessel Hidden Gem.
• The Allseas-designed pilot system achieved a maximum sustained production rate of 86.4 tons per hour.
• TMC plans to scale the system with additional collector heads and a wider riser pipe for Project Zero.