China’s deepwater heavy mining vehicle has reached an unprecedented depth after during a recent sea trial, exceeding 4,000 meters. Progress in Chinese technology will benefit the development of deepwater mineral resources.
A record for the deepwater heavy mining vehicle
The “Pioneer II”, an engineering prototype developed by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University of ShanghaiUniversity, has been the key piece. According to the Shanghai municipal government, the test was successfully carried out and has set a new record. The marine vehicle has performed five diving and seabed mining operations, reaching a maximum dive depth of 4,102.8 meters. This is a landmark achievement for China, being the first time a Chinese deepwater heavy mining vehicle has operated at depths greater than 4,000 meters.
On the other hand, high mobility navigation in deep water over complex marine terrains, as well as drilling and extraction of multiple types of subsea minerals. These innovations have positioned China at the forefront of subsea mining.
Professor Yang Jianmin of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and chief scientist of the “Pioneer II” said that the test, the vehicle completed a daily dive for five consecutive days from June 22 to 26 in the western Pacific Ocean, successfully collecting more than 200 kg of various deep-sea mineral samples.
Expert support and recognition
Yang explained that deepwater mineral resources are typically found between 2,000 and 6,000 meters deep. The test showed that the “Pioneer II” is close to reaching the depths required for seabed mining, opening up new possibilities for the exploitation of these resources.
Some renowned experts, such as Lin Zhongqin and Li Jiabiao, both academicians at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Li Maolin, director of a key national deepwater mineral resources laboratory, have praised the success of this test.
According to experts, this success ensures that China will receive more technical and equipment support for deep-sea scientific research, as well as for the exploration and conservation of underwater environmental resources.
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Source and photo: Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
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