Survey protocol for seafloor massive sulfied deposits. Revised edition.

Abstract

A metal deposit is a geological feature in which useful metals have been concentrated to the point of being economically viable for recovery. In other words, in order for a body of rock to be considered a deposit, it must not only meet certain geological criteria, such as metal concentration, but must also meet economic criteria set by the profitability of the production process. In the absence of detailed economic analysis, seafloor minerals cannot meet the strict definition of a deposit. However, due to the general expectation of profitability, these resources are often referred to as "ore deposits." In this protocol, we will use the term seafloor massive sulfide deposit (SMS deposit) in a similar manner.