After the Successful Expedition – Work Continues
Scandinavian Ocean Minerals holds exploration permits for four areas in the Bothnian Bay, covering a total of 800 square kilometers.
Between October 6 and 17, the latest expedition was carried out together with our partner Sweco. Data collected during the expedition is now being analyzed. The results will form the basis for the environmental impact assessment (EIA), an important step toward the permit application with EIA as an appendix, which will be sent to the government in 2025.
The assessment indicates that 60 square kilometers of the 80 surveyed in the Bothnian Bay show a good presence of manganese nodules. The amount is in line with previous estimates, and there is strong evidence that there is more to be found.
Alongside the data analysis from the expedition, discussions are ongoing about land, energy, and infrastructure issues. A consultation with government authorities, organizations, and the public will also take place. This consultation may provide recommendations for any necessary additions to the surveys.
Peter Lindberg, CEO SOM AB
peter.lindberg@som-ab.se, +46(0)73-617 95 20
Peter Lindberg, CEO SOM AB
peter.lindberg@som-ab.se, +46(0)73-617 95 20
Peter Lindberg, CEO SOM AB
peter.lindberg@som-ab.se, +46(0)73-617 95 20
Peter Lindberg, CEO SOM AB
peter.lindberg@som-ab.se, +46(0)73-617 95 20
1.
On theBothnia Bayseafloor lies small potato-sized lumps – nodules – that contain minerals. In theBaltic Sealies sediments.
2.
Via an air-lift technique, developed by Scandinavian Ocean Minerals, the seafloor is gently harvested for nodules or bottom sediment.
3.
On board the ship, nodules are filtered or, if sediment centrifuged
4.
Water and material that is not used is returned directly to the seafloor, which becomes oxygenated in the process.
5.
Nodules and sediment are transported to land where nodules are refined into, among other things, manganese, iron, silicon (used for batteries, solar cells and semiconductors) while sediment becomes biogas, hydrogen gas or green coal (used for fossil-free steel) .