Abstract: A multi-stage seafloor mining system that has at least concentration stage, a reclamation stage, and a haulage stage. The system includes a concentrating system (50) that processes seafloor materials, a reclaimer machine (300) that collects the processed seafloor materials, and a mechanical haulage system (40) that receives the processed seafloor materials collected by the reclaimer machine (300) and conveys discrete parcels of the processed seafloor materials to a surface vessel (100).

Abstract: A seafloor haulage system (10), for lifting seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, that has a line member (150), preferably synthetic rope, that extends at least partially between the seafloor and the surface and a container (400), preferably a plurality of containers, capable of carrying a load connected to the line member (150). The containers have a steerable element (410), such as a rudder, that enables the container to manoeuvre as it is propelled, typically towed by the line member, through the water.

Abstract: A multi-stage seafloor mining system that has at least concentration stage, a reclamation stage, and a haulage stage. The system includes a concentrating system (50) that processes seafloor materials, a reclaimer machine (300) that collects the processed seafloor materials, and a mechanical haulage system (40) that receives the processed seafloor materials collected by the reclaimer machine (300) and conveys discrete parcels of the processed seafloor materials to a surface vessel (100).

Abstract: A multi-stage seafloor mining system that has at least concentration stage, a reclamation stage, and a haulage stage. The system includes a concentrating system (50) that processes seafloor materials, a reclaimer machine (300) that collects the processed seafloor materials, and a mechanical haulage system (40) that receives the processed seafloor materials collected by the reclaimer machine (300) and conveys discrete parcels of the processed seafloor materials to a surface vessel (100).

Abstract: A seafloor nodule concentrating system is provided. The seafloor nodule concentrating system has a surface vessel and an undersea steering vehicle secured to the surface vessel. The undersea steering vehicle is adapted to be towed by the surface vessel. The seafloor nodule concentrating system also has a nodule collecting apparatus connected to the undersea steering vehicle. The nodule collecting apparatus is located on the seafloor. The seafloor nodule concentrating system also has a position determination device adapted to determine the position of the nodule collecting apparatus and communicate position information of the nodule collecting apparatus to the undersea steering vehicle and surface vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for stockpiling material on the seafloor, the system and method using seafloor collection machines, such auxiliary or bulk cutters or collection machines, to capture seafloor material to be stockpiled. The captured seafloor material is carried in slurry form over a flexible transfer pipe to an outlet at a desired seafloor site. In a preferred form the outlet is mounted in a seafloor stockpiling hood that sits on the seafloor at the desired seafloor site and captures and contains slurry from the outlet while allowing egress of water. The captured seafloor material can then be extracted to a surface vessel.

Abstract: A multi-stage seafloor mining system that has at least concentration stage, a reclamation stage, and a haulage stage. The system includes a concentrating system (50) that processes seafloor materials, a reclaimer machine (300) that collects the processed seafloor materials, and a mechanical haulage system (40) that receives the processed seafloor materials collected by the reclaimer machine (300) and conveys discrete parcels of the processed seafloor materials to a surface vessel (100).

Abstract: A seafloor haulage system (10), for lifting seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, that has a line member (150), preferably synthetic rope, that extends at least partially between the seafloor and the surface and a container (400), preferably a plurality of containers, capable of carrying a load connected to the line member (150). The containers have a steerable element (410), such as a rudder, that enables the container to manoeuvre as it is propelled, typically towed by the line member, through the water.

Abstract: A seafloor vertical hoisting system for hoisting ore from the seafloor, the hoisting system comprising a drive mechanism, at least one line adapted to be driven by the drive mechanism, a plurality of containers adapted to be operatively attached to the at least one line, a first casing adapted to at least partially encase the at least one line and the plurality of containers as they are hoisted relative to the seafloor and a second casing adapted to at least partially encase the at least one line and the plurality of containers as they are lowered towards the seafloor.

Abstract: A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system. The seafloor auxiliary mining tool has a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor. Umbilical connections receive power and control signals from a surface source. A boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool is configured to cut extremities of a seafloor deposit. Cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool are sized by sizing means, to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size.

Abstract: A seafloor bulk mining tool for production cutting of a seafloor bench. The tool uses a tracked locomotion system to travel across a seafloor bench. Power and control interfaces receive power and control signals from a surface source. The tool has a drum cutter for cutting the bench, and a sizing grill adjacent the drum cutter for sizing cuttings as they are produced by the drum cutter. A drum shroud may also be provided to help contain cuttings. A suction inlet can be used to capture cuttings as they are produced, for example in conjunction with a spade and augers.

Abstract: A system for seafloor mining. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool works a seafloor site to prepare a bench, and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor bulk mining tool undertakes production cutting of a bench and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor gathering machine gathers cut ore deposited in the gathering area and pumps gathered ore as a slurry to a riser base. A riser and lifting system receives slurry from the gathering machine and lifts the slurry to the surface. A surface vessel receives slurry from the riser and lifting system.

Abstract: A seafloor nodule concentrating system is disclosed. The seafloor nodule concentrating system has a surface vessel and an undersea steering vehicle secured to the surface vessel. The undersea steering vehicle is adapted to be towed by the surface vessel. The seafloor nodule concentrating system also has a nodule collecting apparatus connected to the undersea steering vehicle. The nodule collecting apparatus is located on the seafloor. The seafloor nodule concentrating system also has a position determination device adapted to determine the position of the nodule collecting apparatus and communicate position information of the nodule collecting apparatus to the undersea steering vehicle and surface vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for stockpiling material on the seafloor, the system and method using seafloor collection machines, such auxiliary or bulk cutters or collection machines, to capture seafloor material to be stockpiled. The captured seafloor material is carried in slurry form over a flexible transfer pipe to an outlet at a desired seafloor site. In a preferred form the outlet is mounted in a seafloor stockpiling hood that sits on the seafloor at the desired seafloor site and captures and contains slurry from the outlet while allowing egress of water. The captured seafloor material can then be extracted to a surface vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for seafloor stockpiling that has a slurry inlet that receives slurry from a seafloor tool via a slurry transfer pipe and walls that, together with the seafloor, define a cavity having a stockpiling volume. The walls are made substantially of a water permeable material, such as a filter fabric or geotextile, that captures and contains seafloor material present in slurry received from the slurry inlet, while permitting egress of water from the slurry. In a preferred form the seafloor stockpiling device is a hood with an open bottom that is located on a seafloor surface.

Abstract: A system for seafloor mining. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool works a seafloor site to prepare a bench, and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor bulk mining tool undertakes production cutting of a bench and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor gathering machine gathers cut ore deposited in the gathering area and pumps gathered ore as a slurry to a riser base. A riser and lifting system receives slurry from the gathering machine and lifts the slurry to the surface. A surface vessel receives slurry from the riser and lifting system.

Abstract: A seafloor bulk mining tool for production cutting of a seafloor bench. The tool uses a tracked locomotion system to travel across a seafloor bench. Power and control interfaces receive power and control signals from a surface source. The tool has a drum cutter for cutting the bench, and a sizing grill adjacent the drum cutter for sizing cuttings as they are produced by the drum cutter. A drum shroud may also be provided to help contain cuttings. A suction inlet can be used to capture cuttings as they are produced, for example in conjunction with a spade and augers.

Abstract: A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system. The seafloor auxiliary mining tool has a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor. Umbilical connections receive power and control signals from a surface source. A boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool is configured to cut extremities of a seafloor deposit. Cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool are sized by sizing means, to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size.