*Review* **Recent Advancements in Metallurgical Processing of Marine Minerals**

**Katarzyna Ochromowicz 1,\*, Kurt Aasly <sup>2</sup> and Przemyslaw B. Kowalczuk 2,\***


**Abstract:** Polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN), cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC) and seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) have been identified as important resources of economically valuable metals and critical raw materials. The currently proposed mineral processing operations are based on metallurgical approaches applied for land resources. Thus far, significant endeavors have been carried out to describe the extraction of metals from PMN; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, it lacks a thorough review on recent developments in processing of CRC and SMS. This paper begins with an overview of each marine mineral. It is followed by a systematic review of common methods used for extraction of metals from marine mineral deposits. In this review, we update the information published so far in peer-reviewed and technical literature, and briefly provide the future perspectives for processing of marine mineral deposits.

**Keywords:** deep-sea mining; marine minerals; seafloor massive sulfides; polymetallic nodules; cobalt-rich crusts; mineral processing; hydrometallurgy; pyrometallurgy; metals; extraction

## **1. Introduction**

The discovery of deep-sea concretions, later known as polymetallic nodules (PMN), in the 1870s, during the HMS Challenger expedition [1], opened a perspective for new, alternative-to-terrestrial, rich resources of many valuable metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Ag, REE, etc.). The results from the HMS Challenger expedition initiated numerous investigations aiming at the acquisition of mineral deposits on the seafloor, and subsequent recovery of metals. At present, three main types of marine mineral deposits have been discovered: polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN), cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC) and seafloor massive sulfides (SMS). These mineral deposits have gained increasing attention due to the significant content of economically valuable metals and critical raw materials (CRM) [2]. Although the accurate assessment of the total amounts of metals and CRM in the marine mineral deposits is difficult, the estimated hypothetical and speculative abundance is of the order of a million tons, compared to the identified terrestrial deposits [3].

A major challenge for scientists has been to develop a technology for deep sea-floor exploration and extraction, enabling the collection of mineralized material from the seabed, followed by the efficient extraction of metals. Currently, mining technologies are just emerging to exploit and extract these mineral deposits. Based on this rough characteristic, different research projects have started aiming for implementation of various concepts, including solutions known from terrestrial applications. However, until now, with an enormous number of research projects, with access to modern and high-tech equipment, there is no full-scale operation [4]. The technological problems, probably caused by the great diversity of the sea-bed materials, or difficulties with the beneficiation of marine mineral deposits, are not the only ones. A lot of discussion held so far concerns the legitimacy of taking such a strong interference in the environment [5–7]. The main concern

**Citation:** Ochromowicz, K.; Aasly, K.; Kowalczuk, P.B. Recent Advancements in Metallurgical Processing of Marine Minerals. *Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437. https:// doi.org/10.3390/min11121437

Academic Editors: Shuai Wang, Xingjie Wang and Jia Yang

Received: 18 November 2021 Accepted: 15 December 2021 Published: 19 December 2021

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**Copyright:** © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

arises from the fact that large quantities of very fine sediments from the ocean floor can be discharged into the surface water, together with cold, nutrient-rich seawater during dredging operations. Furthermore, the potential effects on the ecology of oceans are unpredictable and will depend on the type of mining systems used for future large-scale production [8]. One of the most important and least understood threats is the sediment plume that is expected to travel in the ocean column away from the mine site [9]. [9]. Each of the marine mineral deposits exhibits unique properties such as mineralogical assemblage, bulk chemical composition, density, porosity, surface area and hardness, each of which are crucial for the development of a beneficiation process ending in an effective recovery of metals. Based on numerous investigations dedicated to defining

of marine mineral deposits, are not the only ones. A lot of discussion held so far concerns the legitimacy of taking such a strong interference in the environment [5–7]. The main concern arises from the fact that large quantities of very fine sediments from the ocean floor can be discharged into the surface water, together with cold, nutrient-rich seawater during dredging operations. Furthermore, the potential effects on the ecology of oceans are unpredictable and will depend on the type of mining systems used for future largescale production [8]. One of the most important and least understood threats is the sediment plume that is expected to travel in the ocean column away from the mine site

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 2 of 32

Each of the marine mineral deposits exhibits unique properties such as mineralogical assemblage, bulk chemical composition, density, porosity, surface area and hardness, each of which are crucial for the development of a beneficiation process ending in an effective recovery of metals. Based on numerous investigations dedicated to defining mineralogy of the marine deposits, it is known that PMN and CRC share similar mineralogical compositions (the valuable metals are mostly found incorporated in either oxide or oxyhydroxide forms), whereas the SMS group includes sulfide minerals containing the metals [10]. Additionally, the chemical composition of numerous samples enabled us to determine the main metallic content in each type of marine deposit. PMN are the main source of Mn and Fe, together with Cu, Ni and Co. CRC are rich in cobalt, but also contain variable amounts of vanadium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, and REEs. SMS contain predominantly iron, copper, zinc, and many minor elements. Moreover, some elements such as manganese, cobalt, tellurium, and yttrium are more abundant in the marine deposits in comparison to land resources. mineralogy of the marine deposits, it is known that PMN and CRC share similar mineralogical compositions (the valuable metals are mostly found incorporated in either oxide or oxyhydroxide forms), whereas the SMS group includes sulfide minerals containing the metals [10]. Additionally, the chemical composition of numerous samples enabled us to determine the main metallic content in each type of marine deposit. PMN are the main source of Mn and Fe, together with Cu, Ni and Co. CRC are rich in cobalt, but also contain variable amounts of vanadium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, and REEs. SMS contain predominantly iron, copper, zinc, and many minor elements. Moreover, some elements such as manganese, cobalt, tellurium, and yttrium are more abundant in the marine deposits in comparison to land resources. Currently proposed mineral processing operations are based on metallurgical approaches applied to terrestrial (land) deposits; however, development of marine

Currently proposed mineral processing operations are based on metallurgical approaches applied to terrestrial (land) deposits; however, development of marine minerals processing technology is underway. Recent extensive reviews on processing of PMN can be found elsewhere [11]; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is a lack of thorough review on advancements in processing of CRC and SMS. It should also be noted that the number of publications on PMN processing is quite impressive, compared to the manuscripts that describe the methods for CRC and SMS (Figure 1). We also point out that in this review we focus only on articles on the physicochemical and metallurgical processing of marine minerals, discarding those relating to either technical, ecological, or economic issues. minerals processing technology is underway. Recent extensive reviews on processing of PMN can be found elsewhere [11]; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is a lack of thorough review on advancements in processing of CRC and SMS. It should also be noted that the number of publications on PMN processing is quite impressive, compared to the manuscripts that describe the methods for CRC and SMS (Figure 1). We also point out that in this review we focus only on articles on the physicochemical and metallurgical processing of marine minerals, discarding those relating to either technical, ecological, or economic issues.

**Figure 1.** Distribution and cumulative share of reference papers from present work (from 1968 to 2021). **Figure 1.** Distribution and cumulative share of reference papers from present work (from 1968 to 2021).

In this paper, we respond to the increasing interest in the processing of marine mineral deposits by collecting information from peer-reviewed and other technical literature on historical and recent developments in processing of PMN, CRC, and SMS. We update the information published so far and provide future perspectives for the recovery of valuable metals from the marine deposits. uable metals from the marine deposits. **2. Brief Characteristics of Marine Resources** Mineral deposits in the world oceans can be divided into marine mineral deposits

and deep-marine mineral deposits [2]. Figure 2 shows the distribution of the different

In this paper, we respond to the increasing interest in the processing of marine mineral deposits by collecting information from peer-reviewed and other technical literature on historical and recent developments in processing of PMN, CRC, and SMS. We update the information published so far and provide future perspectives for the recovery of val-

#### **2. Brief Characteristics of Marine Resources** types and their geological settings. The first type is found on the continental shelf and

Deep-marine mineral deposits

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 3 of 32

Mineral deposits in the world oceans can be divided into marine mineral deposits and deep-marine mineral deposits [2]. Figure 2 shows the distribution of the different types and their geological settings. The first type is found on the continental shelf and comprises deposits accumulated from weathered terrestrial rocks transported and deposited in the ocean through alluvial processes. The latter comprises deposits formed at or in the deepocean floor. There are three main types of deep-marine mineral resources currently known from the world's oceans [1]. These are typically referred to as polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN), cobalt-rich manganese crust (CRC), and sea-floor massive sulfides (SMS). They occur in different geological settings on the sea floor and their formation differs significantly. A short overview of each of the three types is given in the following sections. comprises deposits accumulated from weathered terrestrial rocks transported and deposited in the ocean through alluvial processes. The latter comprises deposits formed at or in the deep-ocean floor. There are three main types of deep-marine mineral resources currently known from the world's oceans [1]. These are typically referred to as polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN), cobalt-rich manganese crust (CRC), and sea-floor massive sulfides (SMS). They occur in different geological settings on the sea floor and their formation differs significantly. A short overview of each of the three types is given in the following sections.

#### **Figure 2.** Geological and geographical settings of different types of mineral deposits in the ocean, including the distribution of the different deep-marine minerals. Reprinted with permission from [12]. Copyright 2018 British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2018 under the Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY 3.0 License. **Figure 2.** Geological and geographical settings of different types of mineral deposits in the ocean, including the distribution of the different deep-marine minerals. Reprinted with permission from [12]. Copyright 2018 British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2018 under the Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY 3.0 License.

#### *2.1. Polymetallic Manganese Nodules (PMN) 2.1. Polymetallic Manganese Nodules (PMN)*

Three main types of polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN) have been described and summarized elsewhere [1,10]. These are (i) hydrogenetic nodules formed by the direct deposition of manganese and cobalt, nickel, and copper from seawater; (ii) diagenetic nodules formed as a result of remobilization of manganese in the sediment column; (iii) hydrothermal nodules formed as a result of massive discharge of hydrothermal fluids at the Three main types of polymetallic manganese nodules (PMN) have been described and summarized elsewhere [1,10]. These are (i) hydrogenetic nodules formed by the direct deposition of manganese and cobalt, nickel, and copper from seawater; (ii) diagenetic nodules formed as a result of remobilization of manganese in the sediment column; (iii) hydrothermal nodules formed as a result of massive discharge of hydrothermal fluids at the seafloor at hotspots and divergent plate margins [1].

seafloor at hotspots and divergent plate margins [1]. The deposition of PMN starts precipitation of metals from the ambient sea water onto The deposition of PMN starts precipitation of metals from the ambient sea water onto some sort of nuclei. This nuclei is typically an older nodule fragment, shark tooth, plankton shell, or rock fragments [10].

some sort of nuclei. This nuclei is typically an older nodule fragment, shark tooth, plankton shell, or rock fragments [10]. The abundance of PMN on the seafloor is mainly controlled by the sedimentation rate [1]. PMN occur mainly on the great abyssal plains at depths ranging from 3000 m to 6000 m and can typically be 1 cm to 12 cm diameter. The most common size in the Clarion– The abundance of PMN on the seafloor is mainly controlled by the sedimentation rate [1]. PMN occur mainly on the great abyssal plains at depths ranging from 3000 m to 6000 m and can typically be 1 cm to 12 cm diameter. The most common size in the Clarion– Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is the range 1–5 mm. The growth rate of PMN is controlled by the deposition environment but is generally less than 10 mm/million year for hydrogenetic

Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is the range 1–5 mm. The growth rate of PMN is controlled by the

nodules and more than a 100 mm/million years for diagenetic nodules. A greater diagenetic component of the nodules results in a faster growth rate [13]. However, a combination of the two growth mechanisms is typical, and hence also the average growth rate.

PMN differ significantly in physical properties and mineralogical composition from the known terrestrial deposits. A unique characteristic of PMN compared to the terrestrial resources is the presence of multiple elements in one deposit. A polymetallic manganese nodule contains a range of valuable metals, i.e., Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, and also minor amounts of 22 other elements, including rare earth elements (REE) [14,15]. According to Hein et al. [15], PMN from CCZ might contain a greater tonnage of Mn, Ni, Co, Tl, and Y, and a similar tonnage of As, as the entire "global terrestrial reserve base". It should, however, be noted that numbers from the CCZ do not represent a reserve base but rather a compilation of data from projects in various stages of resource classifications, none of these classified as mineral reserves. The average chemical and mineralogical composition of PMN are given in Tables 1 and 2. Figures 3 and 4 represent PMN samples and their growth structures, respectively. The chemical and mineralogical composition of PMN depends mainly on the processes controlling the deposition of nodules as well as the geographic location for their formation. The most common manganese minerals detected in nodules are todorokite, birnessite, and delta manganese dioxide. Goethite has been determined to be the most common iron-bearing mineral. Nodules are built up of nanometer- scale manganese oxides and iron oxyhydroxides. Fe/Mn ratios typically vary similarly with the type of nodules [16].

**Table 1.** Average composition of PMN [10,14,15,17].


**Table 2.** Average mineralogical composition of PMN [18,19].


**Figure 3.** PMN samples occurring in the eastern German license area within CCZ (**A**–**C**)—nodules with different proportions of hydrogenetic and diagenetic layer growth structures, (**D**)—cross section of a typical PMN) [20]. **Figure 3.** PMN samples occurring in the eastern German license area within CCZ (**A**–**C**)—nodules with different proportions of hydrogenetic and diagenetic layer growth structures, (**D**)—cross section of a typical PMN) [20]. **Figure 3.** PMN samples occurring in the eastern German license area within CCZ (**A**–**C**)—nodules with different proportions of hydrogenetic and diagenetic layer growth structures, (**D**)—cross section of a typical PMN) [20].

**Figure 4.** Backscattered electron (BSE) image (**A**) and element distribution maps (**B**–**F**) of PMN from CCZ [20]. **Figure 4.** Backscattered electron (BSE) image (**A**) and element distribution maps (**B**–**F**) of PMN from CCZ [20]. **Figure 4.** Backscattered electron (BSE) image (**A**) and element distribution maps (**B**–**F**) of PMN from CCZ [20].

#### *2.2. Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts (CRC) 2.2. Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts (CRC) 2.2. Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts (CRC)*

There are still not enough geochemical data, and little is known about the abundance of cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC) in most areas of the ocean. There are two main types of manganese crusts according to [1]; (i) cobalt-rich manganese crust, which is a hydrogenous manganese crust with more than 1% (wt%) Co, and (ii) hydrothermal manganese crust, which is the least abundant manganese deposit in the world's oceans. The cobalt-rich manganese crusts are the ones of interest from an economic perspective. CRC occur on sea mounds in any part of the world's oceans, but are typically restricted to ancient seamounts in relatively large depths and are seen to be more frequent in the Pacific Ocean [1]. Criteria for the formation of CRC is that bottom conditions have resulted in minimal sedimentation and provided the substrate, i.e., the host rock or the original rock of the sea mound, free from sediments. Crusts are only formed on sediment-free surfaces. There are still not enough geochemical data, and little is known about the abundance of cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC) in most areas of the ocean. There are two main types of manganese crusts according to [1]; (i) cobalt-rich manganese crust, which is a hydrogenous manganese crust with more than 1% (wt%) Co, and (ii) hydrothermal manganese crust, which is the least abundant manganese deposit in the world's oceans. The cobalt-rich manganese crusts are the ones of interest from an economic perspective. CRC occur on sea mounds in any part of the world's oceans, but are typically restricted to ancient seamounts in relatively large depths and are seen to be more frequent in the Pacific Ocean [1]. Criteria for the formation of CRC is that bottom conditions have resulted in minimal sedimentation and provided the substrate, i.e., the host rock or the original rock of the sea mound, free from sediments. Crusts are only formed on sediment-free surfaces. There are still not enough geochemical data, and little is known about the abundance of cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC) in most areas of the ocean. There are two main types of manganese crusts according to [1]; (i) cobalt-rich manganese crust, which is a hydrogenous manganese crust with more than 1% (wt%) Co, and (ii) hydrothermal manganese crust, which is the least abundant manganese deposit in the world's oceans. The cobalt-rich manganese crusts are the ones of interest from an economic perspective. CRC occur on sea mounds in any part of the world's oceans, but are typically restricted to ancient seamounts in relatively large depths and are seen to be more frequent in the Pacific Ocean [1]. Criteria for the formation of CRC is that bottom conditions have resulted in minimal sedimentation and provided the substrate, i.e., the host rock or the original rock of the sea mound, free from sediments. Crusts are only formed on sediment-free surfaces. The formation of crusts typically takes place at depths between 400 m and 4000 m, and the

most prospective, cobalt-rich manganese crusts are found on large seamounts at less than 1000 m to 1500 m water depth and older than 20 million years [21].

Hydrogenous CRC exhibit strong similarities with hydrogenetic nodules [13], and thus have been attracting investment in exploration for higher concentrations of various metals. The average chemical and mineralogical composition of CRC are given in Tables 3 and 4. The main metals of economic interest are nickel, copper, cobalt, and possibly manganese and titanium [10]. There are also traces of other valuable metals, such as molybdenum, REE, and lithium. The characteristic properties of CRC are very high porosity (60%), high surface area (300 m2/cm<sup>3</sup> of crust), and extremely slow rates of growth (1–6 mm/Ma) [22]. The CRC consist of a very fine-grained mixture of ferruginous vernadite (mainly δ-MnO<sup>2</sup> × H2O), X-ray amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxide, aluminosilicate phases, carbonate-fluorapatite (secondary in the older crust generation), minor admixtures of finegrained, detrital quartz, and feldspar as well as residual biogenetic phases. Figure 5A,B represent CRC samples and their growth structures, respectively. *Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 6 of 32

> **Table 3.** Average content of some main metals in CRC from the mid-Pacific mountains [1]. The formation of crusts typically takes place at depths between 400 m and 4000 m, and


3 and 4. The main metals of economic interest are nickel, copper, cobalt, and possibly

**Table 4.** Typical mineralogy of CRC [13]. manganese and titanium [10]. There are also traces of other valuable metals, such as


**Figure 5.** (**A**) CRC as a black capping layer on the top of brownish substrate and (**B**) complex internal structures seen in CRC [23,24]. **Figure 5.** (**A**) CRC as a black capping layer on the top of brownish substrate and (**B**) complex internal structures seen in CRC [23,24].

Seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) are derived from the fluid/rock interaction within

the formation of SMS. Oceanic water penetrates the crust along fractures and cracks and a heat source provides heating of fluids towards the depth. The heat also mobilizes fluids trapped in the crust and the circulating water leaches metals from the host rocks. At a point towards depth, circulating waters reach the point where the water starts to rise along fractures in the feeder system to the black smoker system. The rising fluids bring metals to the feeder zone and ultimately release them to the cold ambient water near the seafloor, where the dissolved metals start to precipitate and create a plume. Precipitation is forced by the cold temperatures in the water on the seafloor as well as by reduced pressure as the fluids travel upwards. The SMS deposits typically occur at water depths down to 4000 m [26], and they are found in a variety of tectonic settings, mainly located to plate boundaries, at the modern seafloor including mid-ocean ridges, back-arc rifts, and

*2.3. Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS)* 

#### *2.3. Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS)*

Seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) are derived from the fluid/rock interaction within the oceanic crust [25]. See Figure 6 for a schematic overview of the processes leading to the formation of SMS. Oceanic water penetrates the crust along fractures and cracks and a heat source provides heating of fluids towards the depth. The heat also mobilizes fluids trapped in the crust and the circulating water leaches metals from the host rocks. At a point towards depth, circulating waters reach the point where the water starts to rise along fractures in the feeder system to the black smoker system. The rising fluids bring metals to the feeder zone and ultimately release them to the cold ambient water near the seafloor, where the dissolved metals start to precipitate and create a plume. Precipitation is forced by the cold temperatures in the water on the seafloor as well as by reduced pressure as the fluids travel upwards. The SMS deposits typically occur at water depths down to 4000 m [26], and they are found in a variety of tectonic settings, mainly located to plate boundaries, at the modern seafloor including mid-ocean ridges,

back-arc rifts, and seamounts [27]. The composition of hydrothermal sulfide deposits can vary significantly according to the geodynamic environment, the nature of basement rocks affected by hydrothermal circulation, the water depth, the phase separation processes, and the maturity of deposits. SMS share some mineralogical and chemical characteristics with classic volcanogenic massive sulfides (VMS). The major minerals forming SMS deposits include iron sulfides, such as pyrite and marcasite, as well as the minerals of the most economic interest—chalcopyrite, isocubanite (being copper sulfides) and sphalerite (zinc sulfide). All other minerals of SMS deposits are considered as minor (by-product) ones. The precious metals gold and silver mainly occur in native form, and their Au and Ag grades in SMS deposits are significantly higher than in PMN and CRC deposits. Tables 5 and 6 show the chemical and mineralogical compositions of SMS samples. Figures 7 and 8 represent SMS samples and their growth structures, respectively.

**Table 5.** Average metal concentration in SMS deposits as related to their tectonic settings. "*N*" = number of deposits included in the calculations. Concentrations in wt%, except Au and Ag reported in parts per million. Data from [10].


Among the physical properties of SMS, important from a metallurgical point of view, are their density, water content, and grain size. The bulk density of black and white smoker samples ranged between 1.9 and 3.0, the porosity between 19.4% and 38.8% and it changed with the maturation stage of SMS deposits [28]. The observed trend showed that less mature sulfide samples (the ones closer to the surface) are more porous.

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 8 of 32

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 8 of 32

**Figure 6.** Illustration showing the hydrothermal process resulting in formation of SMS [29]*.*  **Figure 6.** Illustration showing the hydrothermal process resulting in formation of SMS [29]. **Figure 6.** Illustration showing the hydrothermal process resulting in formation of SMS [29]*.* 

implying fluid channels and (**b**) rust implying Fe derived from sulphides [30]. **Figure 7.** SMS samples from the Loki's Castle hydrothermal vent on the Mohn's Ridge; with (**a**) possible conduit structures implying fluid channels and (**b**) rust implying Fe derived from sulphides [30]. **Figure 7.** SMS samples from the Loki's Castle hydrothermal vent on the Mohn's Ridge; with (**a**) possible conduit structures implying fluid channels and (**b**) rust implying Fe derived from sulphides [30].

**Figure 8.** Backscattered electron (BSE) and element distribution maps of SMS from the Loki's Castle hydrothermal vent on the Mohn's Ridge [30]. **Figure 8.** Backscattered electron (BSE) and element distribution maps of SMS from the Loki's Castle hydrothermal vent on the Mohn's Ridge [30].

**Table 5.** Average metal concentration in SMS deposits as related to their tectonic settings. "*N*" = **Table 6.** Typical mineralogy of SMS [30,31].


#### Sediment-free MOR 51 4.5 8.3 0.2 27 1.3 94 Ultramafic-hosted MOR 12 13.4 7.2 < 0.1 24.8 6.9 69 *2.4. Comparison of Different Ore Types*

Sediment-hosted MOR 3 0.8 2.7 0.4 18.6 0.4 64 Intraoceanic back arc 36 2.7 17 0.7 15.5 4.9 202 Transitional back-arcs 13 6.8 17.5 1.5 8.8 13.2 326 Intracontinental rifted arc 5 2.8 14.6 9.7 5.5 4.1 1260 The in situ estimated tonnages of discovered nodules and crusts of the CCZ and PPCZ (Table 7) are significant, but apart from Mn, the total tonnages are not more than required to be regarded as a supplement to the land-based reserve base [13]. However, especially CRC deposits are known in the deep oceans also in the Atlantic Ocean, e.g., within the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) [32] and within Japanese EEZ [33]. Hence, the tonnages for CRC in Table 7 may be upgraded, but too little is yet known.

Volcanic arcs 17 4.5 9.5 2 9.2 10.2 197


**Table 7.** Comparison of in situ-discovered nodules and crusts in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ) and the Prime Pacific Crust Zone (PPCZ), respectively. Table modified after [13], and references therein. \* REO = rare earth oxides.

When it comes to SMS deposits compared to the land-based reserve base, the amount of work performed on SMS seems not yet to have focused on the available tonnage estimates for different metals. However, several authors have estimated the size of single deposits and their typical grades. For example, Hannington et al. [34], estimated the around 600 Mt of massive sulfides along 89,000 km of Mid-Ocean Ridges with 5% combined Cu + Zn + Pb. These numbers suggest something in the range just higher than what is estimated for the PPCZ.

#### **3. Processing of Marine Minerals**

Processing involves separating an ore from a waste and transforming it into a product (e.g., metal). The number and type of steps involved in a particular process may vary significantly depending on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the processed ore. For terrestrial (land) ores, the processing takes place on land and includes a wide range of techniques. Marine minerals (PMN, CRC, SMS), however, due to their complex mineralogy, high porosity and water content, differ significantly from the land resources, and thus their processing will be different as well. Recovery of metals from the marine minerals might take place either on land or the seabed; however, the processing routes have not been elaborated yet. The currently applied extraction techniques of marine minerals are based on the terrestrial ore practices and can mainly be divided into three major categories: (i) conventional mineral processing, (ii) hydrometallurgical, and (iii) pyrometallurgical treatment. In mineral processing, several technique—from relatively straightforward mechanical operations to complex physicochemical procedures, are employed to prepare a material for further processing and/or to separate the ore from the waste.

The hydrometallurgical treatment mainly includes leaching with various lixiviants and reducing agents, while pyrometallurgy involves smelting, chlorination, and segregation processes. Tables 8–10 summarize the main routes applied so far in the processing of marine minerals, which are discussed in this section.


279

chlorine leach

Smelting at 1400 ◦C for 2 h; Leaching of sulfided Cu-Co-Ni alloy with chlorine gas; SX + EW for Fe, Cu, Co, and Ni

chlorine leach is preferable to an oxygen-pressure leach. 99% Cu, Co, Ni in 3 h

[44]

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437


**Table 8.** *Cont.*

**HYDROMETALLURGY**

**Table 8.** *Cont.*





**Table 9.** Main routes in the processing of cobalt-rich manganese crusts (CRC).


#### *3.1. Polymetallic Manganese Nodules (PMN) 3.1. Polymetallic Manganese Nodules (PMN)*

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 19 of 32

To obtain high recoveries of valuable metals from PMN, it is necessary to release them by breaking the crystal lattices of the manganese oxides. Therefore, most of the research works propose the reduction of tetravalent manganese to a divalent state [19,84]. This can be accomplished either pyrometallurgically by smelting with gaseous, liquid, or solid reducing agents, or with hydrometallurgy, where the reduction is carried out either before or during a leaching operation, or by a combination of both (Figure 9). To obtain high recoveries of valuable metals from PMN, it is necessary to release them by breaking the crystal lattices of the manganese oxides. Therefore, most of the research works propose the reduction of tetravalent manganese to a divalent state [19,84]. This can be accomplished either pyrometallurgically by smelting with gaseous, liquid, or solid reducing agents, or with hydrometallurgy, where the reduction is carried out either before or during a leaching operation, or by a combination of both (Figure 9).


**Figure 9.** Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processing of PMN [17,35–73]. **Figure 9.** Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processing of PMN [17,35–73].

> Regardless of the approach used for metals recovery, the most common method of PMN pretreatment used to be air drying followed by crushing and grinding to reduce the size of nodules. Usually, the powdered nodules size fractions are less than 100 μm [45,49,55]. When samples are processed pyrometallurgically at high temperatures, the powder is mixed with the flux and reducing agents, and in the case of hydrometallurgical Regardless of the approach used for metals recovery, the most common method of PMN pretreatment used to be air drying followed by crushing and grinding to reduce the size of nodules. Usually, the powdered nodules size fractions are less than 100 µm [45,49,55]. When samples are processed pyrometallurgically at high temperatures, the powder is mixed with the flux and reducing agents, and in the case of hydrometallurgical processing, the ground nodules are sieved and leached under specified conditions.

> processing, the ground nodules are sieved and leached under specified conditions. PMN are relatively easy to grind with the Bond-index of about 7 kilowatt hours per ton [84]. The size mineral phases in PMN ranges from below 1 to ca. 5 μm. Due to the high surface area (ca. 200 m2/g) and porosity (60%) nodules were considered for their use as adsorbents or catalysts [85–89]. In a few works, due to the high concentrations of MnO2, PMN served as an oxidizing agent [90–92]. High porosities, with pore size diameters in the range 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm, result in a high moisture content (30–40%). This is a major disadvantage in high-temperature metallurgical treatment because it forces the use of a drying operation, and thus it is energetically inefficient. The complex oxidic mineral composition of PMN (a very fine-grained admixture) makes the application of methods of physical beneficiation such as gravity, electrostatic and magnetic separation or flotation to produce concentrates of the valuable metals economically inefficient; instead, either PMN are relatively easy to grind with the Bond-index of about 7 kilowatt hours per ton [84]. The size mineral phases in PMN ranges from below 1 to ca. 5 µm. Due to the high surface area (ca. 200 m2/g) and porosity (60%) nodules were considered for their use as adsorbents or catalysts [85–89]. In a few works, due to the high concentrations of MnO2, PMN served as an oxidizing agent [90–92]. High porosities, with pore size diameters in the range 0.01 µm to 0.1 µm, result in a high moisture content (30–40%). This is a major disadvantage in high-temperature metallurgical treatment because it forces the use of a drying operation, and thus it is energetically inefficient. The complex oxidic mineral composition of PMN (a very fine-grained admixture) makes the application of methods of physical beneficiation such as gravity, electrostatic and magnetic separation or flotation to produce concentrates of the valuable metals economically inefficient; instead, either hydroor pyrometallurgical processing has to be used. Physical separation techniques might be applied in screening for removal of such debris as bones, sharks' teeth, etc. [11].

> hydro- or pyrometallurgical processing has to be used. Physical separation techniques might be applied in screening for removal of such debris as bones, sharks' teeth, etc. [11]. Pyrometallurgy aims at the reduction of metals in PMN to metallic forms, which can be further recovered. A lot of research works have been dedicated to finding the most

> Pyrometallurgy aims at the reduction of metals in PMN to metallic forms, which can be further recovered. A lot of research works have been dedicated to finding the most

effective reducing agent. Many inorganic and organic compounds were tested in this role. The hydrometallurgical treatment has been described in several process options, among which the most popular is either acidic or ammonia leaching under either atmospheric or elevated pressures, with an addition of various kinds of additives such as reductants, surfactants, or microorganisms (biohydrometallurgy) (Figure 9). which the most popular is either acidic or ammonia leaching under either atmospheric or elevated pressures, with an addition of various kinds of additives such as reductants, surfactants, or microorganisms (biohydrometallurgy) (Figure 9). The most important metals of economic interest, found in manganese nodules, are Cu, Ni, Co, and Mn and their recovery might be based on the classical smelting processes,

The hydrometallurgical treatment has been described in several process options, among

The most important metals of economic interest, found in manganese nodules, are Cu, Ni, Co, and Mn and their recovery might be based on the classical smelting processes, dedicated for the copper and nickel metallurgy, known from the terrestrial applications. The most applied pyrometallurgical methods are listed in Table 8. At first, nodules are either dried or calcined at various conditions, then ground, and introduced into a furnace for reduction (at temperatures from 130 ◦C to over 1400 ◦C) [15,20,37,40,41,43,85]. The reduction process with various reducing agents, such as hydrogen chloride, ferrous ion, sulfur dioxide, carbon, and many organic compounds [18,36,42,89,93], leads to a manganese-rich slag and an iron-nickel-copper-cobalt alloy. The alloy is then subjected to a converting operation where during oxidation most of the remaining Mn and Fe are removed. In the next step, the obtained Ni-Cu-Co matte might be treated by several methods. The Mn-Fe slag phase can be fed to a furnace to produce the ferro-silico-manganese alloy. A simplified pyrometallurgical route for manganese nodules treatment, created based on the data provided elsewhere [94], is presented in Figure 10. dedicated for the copper and nickel metallurgy, known from the terrestrial applications. The most applied pyrometallurgical methods are listed in Table 8. At first, nodules are either dried or calcined at various conditions, then ground, and introduced into a furnace for reduction (at temperatures from 130 °C to over 1400 °C) [15,20,37,40,41,43,85]. The reduction process with various reducing agents, such as hydrogen chloride, ferrous ion, sulfur dioxide, carbon, and many organic compounds [18,36,42,89,93], leads to a manganese-rich slag and an iron-nickel-copper-cobalt alloy. The alloy is then subjected to a converting operation where during oxidation most of the remaining Mn and Fe are removed. In the next step, the obtained Ni-Cu-Co matte might be treated by several methods. The Mn-Fe slag phase can be fed to a furnace to produce the ferro-silico-manganese alloy. A simplified pyrometallurgical route for manganese nodules treatment, created based on the data provided elsewhere [94], is presented in Figure 10.

*Minerals* **2021**, *11*, 1437 20 of 32

Two approaches have been known for the manganese recovery from the slag. It can be recovered as either silicomanganese or ferromanganese. Both are marketable products with some limitations to the contents of Mn, Si, C, or S, specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) [46,76], Active Standard A99 and A483/A483M-ASTM. A typical Mn recovery exceeds 95%, but slags still contain a small amount of Cu, Co, and Ni. Sommerfeld et al. proposed two-step reductive smelting of polymetallic nodules resulting in a "zero-waste" process [38]. Their concept was based on the well-known INCO process described elsewhere [94]. Briefly, the idea was to use fluxes (Al2O3, TiO2, FeO, Na2B4O7, and SiO2) in an additional smelting step, designed for the slag phase obtained in the first one to increase the Mn recovery in the form of high carbon ferromanganese (HC FeMn). The optimal conditions were: smelting at 1400 °C with 9.4% SiO2, yielding over Two approaches have been known for the manganese recovery from the slag. It can be recovered as either silicomanganese or ferromanganese. Both are marketable products with some limitations to the contents of Mn, Si, C, or S, specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) [46,76], Active Standard A99 and A483/A483M-ASTM. A typical Mn recovery exceeds 95%, but slags still contain a small amount of Cu, Co, and Ni. Sommerfeld et al. proposed two-step reductive smelting of polymetallic nodules resulting in a "zero-waste" process [38]. Their concept was based on the well-known INCO process described elsewhere [94]. Briefly, the idea was to use fluxes (Al2O3, TiO2, FeO, Na2B4O7, and SiO2) in an additional smelting step, designed for the slag phase obtained in the first one to increase the Mn recovery in the form of high carbon ferromanganese (HC FeMn). The optimal conditions were: smelting at 1400 ◦C with 9.4% SiO2, yielding over 90% and up to 100% for Cu, Co, Mo, and Ni. The final slag contained 97% of Mn and low concentrations of Cr, Cu, V, and Ni.

90% and up to 100% for Cu, Co, Mo, and Ni. The final slag contained 97% of Mn and low concentrations of Cr, Cu, V, and Ni. Most of the research works dedicated to the treatment of PMN relate to the application of a leaching operation. These works can be generally grouped into two categories based on either the leaching type (acidic/basic or atmospheric/pressure) or leaching mechanism (electroleaching, electrobioleaching, galvanic, or surfactant mediated). Table 8 and Figure 11 summarize the applied methods for the hydrometallurgical treatment of PMN. Hydrometallurgical processing very often is conducted on a previously reduced feed, i.e., under a reducing atmosphere of H2, CO [46], or SO2, or by mixing nodules with solid Most of the research works dedicated to the treatment of PMN relate to the application of a leaching operation. These works can be generally grouped into two categories based on either the leaching type (acidic/basic or atmospheric/pressure) or leaching mechanism (electroleaching, electrobioleaching, galvanic, or surfactant mediated). Table 8 and Figure 11 summarize the applied methods for the hydrometallurgical treatment of PMN. Hydrometallurgical processing very often is conducted on a previously reduced feed, i.e., under a reducing atmosphere of H2, CO [46], or SO2, or by mixing nodules with solid reductants such as coal [45,87]. Another option is to apply reduction leaching, where manganese is reduced to Mn (II) by various reagents, such as SO2, [61] CO, HCl [20], FeSO<sup>4</sup> [52], aromatic amines [53], phenols [54], glucose [66,70], or surfactants [49]. Then, the only pretreatment

reductants such as coal [45,87]. Another option is to apply reduction leaching, where man-

[52], aromatic amines [53], phenols [54], glucose [66,70], or surfactants [49]. Then, the only

operation is the comminution of nodules. Some of the most commonly used techniques are shortly described here. pretreatment operation is the comminution of nodules. Some of the most commonly used techniques are shortly described here.

**Figure 11.** Metallurgical processes for manganese nodules [39,42,43,49,53,54,57,59,63,65,68,71,94–96]. **Figure 11.** Metallurgical processes for manganese nodules [39,42,43,49,53,54,57,59,63,65,68,71,94–96].

Among all applied techniques, the Cuprion process developed by Kennecott Copper Corporation (KCC), and further improved by several researchers, has been found as the most promising method for recovery of metals from PMN. The process involves a reductive ammonia–ammonium carbonate leach in the presence of the reducing gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and small amounts of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. The most important step is the reduction of manganese, which helps in breaking the manganese matrix; thus the rest of metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt can easily react with a leaching agent. The carbon monoxide reduces cupric ion to the cuprous state, which is Among all applied techniques, the Cuprion process developed by Kennecott Copper Corporation (KCC), and further improved by several researchers, has been found as the most promising method for recovery of metals from PMN. The process involves a reductive ammonia–ammonium carbonate leach in the presence of the reducing gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and small amounts of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. The most important step is the reduction of manganese, which helps in breaking the manganese matrix; thus the rest of metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt can easily react with a leaching agent. The carbon monoxide reduces cupric ion to the cuprous state,

287

which is stabilized by the ammonia–ammonium carbonate solution composition. Then, the cuprous ion reacts with manganese dioxide to form the manganous ion, which rapidly precipitates as manganese carbonate. Nickel, copper and cobalt contained in PMN are leached into the solution as the manganese dioxide is converted to manganese carbonate. The manganese dioxide converted to manganese carbonate and iron are rejected as a residue. The main advantages of this process are its mild operating conditions, that is, low energy consumption, low toxicity, acceptable environmental impact, and most importantly high selectivity. However, low cobalt recovery, low pulp density, the use of carbon monoxide as a reducing agent, as well as the removal of manganese are the main disadvantages of the process.

Other methods applied for recovery of metals from PMN are combined pyro- and hydrometallurgical processes. Special attention has been paid to the International Nickel Company (INCO) process described in detail elsewhere [94]. It requires drying the nodules, and thus substantial energy input. Dried PMN are crushed and ground, and then reduced and subjected to smelting in an electric furnace to produce an alloy containing copper, nickel and cobalt, and residual Fe and Mn, as well as the manganese and iron-rich slag. The slag is then treated to produce ferro-manganese. However, the alloy is sulfurized to produce a matte containing copper, nickel, and cobalt, and the residual iron and manganese are removed as an oxide slag. Then, the matte is leached with sulfuric acid, and the leach liquor is processed by solvent extraction and electrowinning for copper, and the raffinate from this process is again processed for nickel recovery. Finally, cobalt is reduced from the solution with hydrogen to produce cobalt powder.

Another option for extraction of metals from PMN is bioleaching utilizing anaerobic Mn-reducing bacteria such as *Thiobacillus ferrooxidans* [63–65], *Thiobacillus thiooxidans* [64,68], Aspergillus niger [72], or *Acidianus brierleyi* [64].

Abramovski et al. [97] made a comparative economic analysis of three technologies proposed in the literature: (i) pyrometallurgical treatment with the use of SO<sup>2</sup> as the reductant; (ii) a combined pyro–hydro method, and (iii) hydrometallurgical treatment based on high-pressure acid leaching. The evaluation of scaling up selected lab-test solutions to a pilot-plant level was based on the extraction efficiency, supported by the possibilities for performance, the actual prices of metals, environmental pollution, and other factors. Although authors made no final statement defining the best technology, it can be seen from their analysis that smelting is rather ineffective, due to significant losses of valuable metals (i.e., Co, Ni, V, REE, etc.) to a slag phase.

It seems that the most popular and the most sensible method of ocean nodules treatment is to combine pyro- and hydro-methods. Metals that form either alloys or slag phases after roasting can be extracted with different leaching agents. In this context, different mineral acids, bases, or organic acid solutions were investigated.

## *3.2. Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts (CRC)*

Future scenarios for the extraction of CRC from the seabed may cause the substrate or upper layer to stick to the mined crust. Hence, conventional mineral processing operations such as comminution and separation (i.e., gravity, magnetic, flotation) are necessary to remove the substrate before the metallurgical treatment. Among the available literature, the work from 1991 on the flotation of Co-rich crusts [98] deserves attention. This research describes the experiments aiming the beneficiation, i.e., separation of crusts from the metalbarren substrate by the froth flotation technique. Other investigators tried to beneficiate crust samples by using Jig concentrators, allowing for further gravity separation of particles within the ore body [99]. In this case, crust samples were crushed to obtain various particle fractions. In the end, the flowsheet was proposed showing that fractions from 0.5 to 4 mm could be concentrated by Jig separation, while the finer fractions by froth flotation.

In 1991, other researchers presented their study on the leaching of metals from CRC in the H2SO4-H2O<sup>2</sup> media [76]. Crust samples were air dried and beneficiated before the leaching operation. The advantages of their method were leaching at ambient temperatures and that water and oxygen were only used. For the beneficiation, froth flotation (collectors: diesel fuel or kerosene with fatty acids and a lesser amount of sulfonate), and magnetic separation were proposed. For metals recovery from leach solution, authors applied threestep precipitation: first, iron was precipitated with CaO, then Co and Ni were removed as mixed sulfides by the precipitation with H2S under pressure, and finally, Mn was recovered by carbonation at neutral pH, as MnCO3.

Since that time, the literature on the recovery of metals from CRC has been limited. Except for a few propositions aiming at leaching of crusts samples in HCl [74] and H2SO<sup>4</sup> [75], there have been no works on that subject. Even if the title indicates the interest in metals recovery from the crust material, in the majority of works it is a rather general consideration of pros and cons. Since CRC, similarly to PMN, exhibit complex oxidic mineral composition, it might be assumed the respective ore processing techniques of crusts will be very similar to nodule extraction discussed in the previous subchapter and summarized in Table 8 and Figure 11.

#### *3.3. Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS)*

Similarly to CRC, the literature on the processing of seafloor massive sulfides is quite poor—only a few research works concern the extraction of metals from this type of marine deposit. This is due to the limited number of mined samples to be tested.

The Solwara 1 project (the first deep-sea mining project at the international level was approved but failed before the extraction phase) planned to mine mineral-rich hydrothermal vents in the Bismark Sea [83]. However, so far, no commercial extraction and processing has been performed. From 1998 to 2012, several tests on the characterization of samples and processing were performed. The first reported processing test was conducted in 1998 on two samples with different compositions: rich in zinc and poor in copper, and rich in copper and poorer in zinc. High recovery of copper and zinc was obtained. The authors of the presented report claimed that it was similar to terrestrial mining operations, but no flotation conditions were provided. It has to be noted that for all Solwara processing tests, the flotation conditions were not provided. The next reported test was conducted on the chimney sample in 2005, and the tests resulted in high recoveries of copper, silver, gold, lead, and zinc. The final concentrate contained over 26% of copper, however the concentration of metals in the feed was not provided. In 2008 the grindability and floatability tests were performed. The flotation concentrates with a copper grade of 28% and recovery of 90% were produced. In 2012 the final processing tests were performed, achieving the concentrate enriched in gold and degraded in copper. Since then, no other enrichment tests for the Solwara 1 project have been reported.

The idea of direct application of conventional mineral processing technologies to seafloor mineral processing was discussed in work [81]. The presented concept was to implement ball mill grinding and column flotation directly on the seabed before lifting the ores. Before experiments, the ore samples were ground into particles with the size of 88 to 106 µm. Both water-filled grinding and column flotation under elevated pressure had almost comparable performance to wet grinding and flotation at the atmospheric pressure. Moreover, the measurement by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) was proposed to apply to the in situ measurement of a metal grade of ore particles.

Recently, Aikawa et al. (2021) [82] presented results on flotation of SMS samples, which were chemically pretreated using ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) to remove anglesite. The authors claimed that application of surface cleaning before flotation and depression of Pb-activated sphalerite could achieve the highest separation efficiencies of chalcopyrite and sphalerite.

Kowalczuk et al. [77] studied the extraction of copper and zinc from SMS rock samples from Loki's Castle hydrothermal vent on the Mohn's Ridge. The mineralogical analysis revealed that SMS samples are totally different than massive sulfides occurring on land. Sphalerite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite showed complex intergrowth texture on the nano scale. Chalcopyrite occurs as 1-micron lamellas in the structure of isocubanite and

sphalerite. Sphalerite contained app. 20% of iron. This complex mineralogy provideed challenges to conventional mineral processing methods such as liberation by comminution and upgrading by flotation. The high iron content in sphalerite was a challenge to upgrade a sulfide concentrate by removing pyrite. Thus, nitric acid was proposed as an appropriate leaching agent. The authors found that leaching with HNO3, at an elevated temperature yielded more than 90% extraction of Cu, Zn, and Fe.

An alternative method was proposed in experiments aiming at copper and silver recovery [78], conducted at the material of the same chemical and mineralogical composition (silica, barite, quartz, galena, pyrite, and marcasite were identified as gangue minerals). The silver phases were not detected due to their low content (15 ppm), thus it was assumed that Ag can occur as an admixture in the crystallographic lattice of sulfides or as micro inclusions. Here, the SMS sample was leached in MnO2-H2SO4-NaCl media, providing the galvanic mechanism of the leaching reactions. It is well known that galvanic effects occur when two sulfide minerals, differing in rest potentials, are coupled together in a solution that acts as an electrolyte [100–103].

In the mentioned study, it was found that copper and silver only started to dissolve in the presence of MnO2, thus confirming the galvanic interactions between Cu and Ag-phases and MnO2. The probable galvanic couples formed between primary sulfide minerals of the SMS ore (chalcopyrite, isocubanite, sphalerite, pyrite/marcasite), and MnO2, acting as a cathode and anode, respectively. The observed leaching rates were dependent on the addition and dosage of MnO2, but reached only 80 and 35% after 24h, for Cu and Ag, respectively.

Another idea of Kowalczuk's team was presented in the work [79], aiming at simultaneous leaching of massive sulfides and polymetallic nodules. Leaching was performed with the use of H2SO<sup>4</sup> and NaCl, at 80 ◦C, and different PMN/SMS ratios. The PMN sample was used as a potential source of MnO<sup>2</sup> (27 wt% of Mn)—an oxidant for metals leaching from the SMS sample. The results indicated that leaching of the two types of marine resources enabled high dissolution rates of metals; copper, manganese, and nickel were almost completely extracted, whereas zinc extraction yielded around 85% after 48 h of leaching. In addition to that, the authors showed a few concepts for utilization of leaching residue, i.e., in ceramic production, oil and gas drilling, or metal adsorbents.

In all of the above-discussed works, the common procedure on the material preparation before leaching operation was drying at room temperature (for the SMS sample) or 60 ◦C (for the PMN sample), and crushing followed by sieving, to obtain the particle size fraction <50 µm. Such a procedure enables the liberation of sulfides from mineral intergrowths.

Other available research works on leaching of SMS deposits are rather scarce. The investigation presented in [80] simulates natural leaching of fine particulate SMS materials suspended in the seawater, during in situ mining, at the stage of returning the material to the ocean after ship-board processing. In this study, the SMS sample from the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) active mound was leached in artificial seawater at 12 ◦C, to find the effect of copper, iron, and lead leachability. The main mineral phases indicated were: pyrite/marcasite, chalcopyrite, covellite, Fe oxides/oxyhydroxides, and quartz. Before leaching, the sample was crushed and sieved to receive fractions below 45 µm. The concentrations of Cu and Pb in the leachate were at ppb levels, and leached Fe underwent the hydrolysis and formed Fe oxyhydroxides. Additionally, it was stated that the factors that control the leaching process are mineralogy and/or galvanic interactions formed between mineral phases in a seawater environment.

The pyrometallurgical approach to recovery of metals from SMS deposits was presented in [104]. In this work, investigators proposed a two-stage process involving smelting operation and further converting of the produced matte phase. Both operations were run at the temperature of 1350 ◦C. The SMS sample used in this study had mineralogy typical for seafloor sulfides (bornite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, marcasite, pyrite, sphalerite) and contained around 39 wt% and 21 wt% of Cu and Fe, respectively. The produced converting

matte phase contained ca. 99 wt% of Cu, and the overall copper recovery for both process steps was ca. 96%.

#### **4. Downstream Processing**

Many of the hydrometallurgical methods proposed so far concentrate on the extraction of all metals from polymetallic nodules, and only a few are concerned with the selective removal of impurities [18,50,51]. This is an important step because the presence of impurities complicates the process of recovering metals in a pure form.

The common impurity in pregnant leach solutions (PLS), posing a huge problem in metallurgical circuits, is iron. Its extraction is typically between 30% and 90%, sometimes ending in complete dissolution [56,60,72,94]. It is especially frequent when Fe salts are introduced as reducing agents or in bioleaching methods. However, the latter can also effectively reject iron [70], but usually, it is compensated by long extraction times (i.e., 90 days) or low recovery of coexisting metals.

In [44] authors compared the efficiency, operating, and capital costs of five selected processes described in the literature: (a) reduction and ammoniacal leaching, (b) CUPRION ammoniacal leaching, (c) high-temperature and high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching, (d) reduction and hydrochloric acid leaching, and (e) smelting and sulfuric acid leaching. In general, pyrometallurgical processes were found to be less beneficial than hydrometallurgical processes, due to high energy consumption (due to high moisture content). However, the smelting process can be advantageous, because valuable metals could be effectively concentrated in the alloy phase and separated from the impurities, which remain in the slag phase. It also turned out that it was better to combine smelting with leaching in HCl acid instead of H2SO<sup>4</sup> because the former allows higher recoveries and recycling of chlorine gas and sulfur.

The great challenge arising in the processing of seafloor materials is the handling of multi-component pregnant leach solutions. Usually, downstream processing uses either precipitation or solvent extraction (SX) and electrowinning (EW) technology (Table 11). Precipitation is mainly destined for iron and manganese removal from PLS before extraction of valuable metals, commonly with aid of basic compounds or by purging with air. In many cases, Co and Ni are precipitated and recovered in the form of mixed sulfides, which after redissolving can be directed to the SX stage. Solvent extraction is useful in the separation of the valuable metals from impurities and accompanying metals present in PLS. The selectivity is usually ensured either by the selection of proper extractant or by applying specified conditions (pH, temperature) for selective stripping. Clean solutions of metallic compounds obtained in the SX step are directed to electrowinning to recover pure metal.




**Table 11.** *Cont.*

\* Mn precipitation from the filtrate after the Co, Ni sulfides precipitation.

Mittal and Sen [61] demonstrated the medium scale plant for processing PMN (500 kg/day) by reductive pressure leaching with ammonia and SO2, combined with SX-EW sections for Cu, Co, and Ni separation. In the leaching stage, Cu, Co, Ni, and Mn are dissolved. Manganese is precipitated and separated as MnO<sup>2</sup> and free ammonia is recovered in a stripper and recycled to the autoclave. Then, Cu is selectively removed from PLS by SX-EW and the raffinate containing Co and Ni is subjected to sulfide precipitation. Precipitated sulfides of Co, Ni, and minor impurities (Cu, Zn, Fe) are dissolved in dilute sulfuric acid. The obtained leach solution is directed to Co-Ni separation by SX, after removal of dissolved impurities. Similar to copper, pure Co and Ni are produced through electro-winning. The recoveries of Cu, Ni, and Co were respectively equal to 85, 90, and 80%.

Solvent extraction of Cu, Co, and Ni from acidic PLS was described in [105]. First, nodules were leached in the mixture of sulfuric acid and activated charcoal at 80–90 ◦C. Iron and manganese present in the leachate were precipitated before extraction. Commercial acidic extractants (LIX 984, ACORGA M5640) were used for the co-extraction of Cu and Ni. Cobalt remained in raffinate, and the selective recovery of Cu and Ni from the organic phase was based on sequential stripping with an appropriate sulfuric acid solution.

Extraction of Cu, Co, and Ni from HCl leach solution of PMN was studied in [58], together with their mutual separation and separation from accompanying metal ions, such as Ti(IV), Al(III), Fe(III), Mn(II), and Zn(II). The tested extractant compounds (Cyanex 923 and Cyanex 301) were able to efficiently (>90%) extract Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) from highly

acidic media (4M). Yet, the residual organic phases still contain some undefined amount of co-existing ions.

Except for primary metals, rare earth elements are often found in seafloor materials [111,112], enhancing their economic value. However, it is critical to separate REE from base metals, and this might be achieved by SX. In [106], the authors used organophosphorus acids to extract REE from a solution after PMN leaching. The main impurity—iron—was precipitated before extraction, leaving in the solution the remaining metals, i.e., Cu, Ni, Co, and Mn. The application of D2EHPA (di -2-Ethylhexyl phosphoric acid) resulted in selective REE extraction with an overall efficiency of around 97%.

#### **5. Conclusions and Future Perspectives**

Oceans are known to have particularly rich deposits of various types of minerals (polymetallic nodules, crusts, sulfides). The SMS deposits can be compared to land-based ore deposits and appear to be typically smaller but slightly higher-grade than most sulfide deposits mined today. More similarities may be seen with the volcanogenic massive sulfides (VMS). Additionally, many critical raw materials (CRM) from global crusts and nodule deposits will most likely be relevant as a supplement to land-based mining, rather than a substitute.

A huge effort has been made for exploitation and extraction of polymetallic nodules; however, for other types of marine minerals both mining and processing operations are at very low levels of readiness. Currently, there is no elaborated plan for the processing of SMS and CRC, which is caused by the limited geochemical data and number of mined samples to be tested. In this paper we collected information from peer-reviewed and other technical literature on historical and recent developments in the processing of marine minerals, particularly polymetallic nodules (PMN), polymetallic crusts (CRC), and seafloor massive sulfides (SMS). The proposed processing operations are based on metallurgical approaches applied to terrestrial deposits. However, marine minerals differ significantly from the land resources, and thus the processing will be different as well. Successful methods must consider the characteristics of marine minerals; that is chemistry, mineralogy, porosity, and water content.

Due to the complex mineralogy of polymetallic nodules and polymetallic crusts, separation and enrichment of metals of interest from the other components by physical beneficiation methods would tend to be energy intensive in comparison with the terrestrial resources. Thus, PMN and CRC would be treated either hydrometallurgically or pyrometallurgically, or a combination of both. Currently, the most effective method of polymetallic marine minerals treatment is a combination of pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods. However, the development of new and green methods for metallurgical processing of PMN and CRC is necessary.

The choice of processing routes for seafloor massive sulfides will strongly depend on the metal content and mineralogy, and thus economic causes. Three metallurgical concepts for processing for high-grade, medium-grade and low-grade SMS might be suggested. Rich samples with high concentrations of copper, zinc, and minor elements would be directly processed by pyrometallurgy. The medium-grade ore, which does not meet the pyrometallurgical requirements, would first be enriched by conventional processing, and then either pyro- or hydro- metallurgically treated. Due to complex mineralogy, rapid oxidation of sulfide minerals, and porosity, new flotation reagents would have to be applied here. Finally, a low-grade ore with a complex mineralogy will be directed to hydrometallurgical treatment.

The current processing tests have been performed on the land. However, future preprocessing such as pre-grinding (e.g., comminution) and preconcentration (e.g., sensorbased sorting) might take place on the seabed, disposing of non-toxic associated waste rocks, and only concentrated material could be lifted to the vessel. Such pre-processing might reduce the quantity of waste material lifted from the ocean bed and then reported to the next processing stage. Such a vessel would either transport the ore to the production

plant on land or the green production would take place on the vessel. Enrichment by pre-concentration on the seabed and processing on the vessel would significantly decrease the operational costs. The choice of processing plant will strongly depend on economic and technological considerations.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, K.O.; P.B.K., investigation, K.O., K.A., P.B.K.; writing original draft preparation, K.O.; writing—review and editing, K.O., P.B.K., K.A.; visualization, K.O., P.B.K., K.A.; supervision, P.B.K.; funding acquisition, K.O. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** This research was partially financed by statutory activity subsidies from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for the Faculty of Chemistry of Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
