This paper was selected for presentation by an OTC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Offshore Technology Conference and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Offshore Technology Conference, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Offshore Technology Conference is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of OTC copyright. INTRODUCTION ABSTRACTThe decision to apply a new "unproven" technology is a difficult one to make. Companies avoid it as much as possible. We all like to be the second one to use a new "successful" idea. Be the "fast follower" and get the benefit of lower cost and/or schedule without having the development cost or the risk of failure. If we ever apply "unproven" technology it is usually the result of either being forced into it by not having a suitable alternative or the assessment of the risks is overwhelmingly in favor of applying it.
This study focuses on the engineering and economics of mining platinum group metals and gold from the Dufek intrusion in Antarctica. This intrusion is a Jurassic layered mafic intrusion. Except for the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, it is far larger than any other complex of this type. Chromium, copper, and platinum group metals are considered as speculative resources in this intrusion. There is special interest in the platinum group metals. These are expected mainly in the hidden lower portion of the Dufek intrusion. Possible mining activity could take place in this intrusion. Experience from the Arctic gives reason to believe that mining could be conducted in Antarctica. Developments at the Polaris and Lupin mines in northern Canada are examples of successful operations in adverse climates of the type present in Antarctica. However, logistics, thickness of the ice cover, permafrost, and extremely low temperatures create problems for a hypothetical mining operation and impose hazards for transportation. Economic considerations show no reason to believe that in the near future extraction of minerals could be performed profitably under current cost and price regimes. The very high risk associated with the high cost levels makes such a venture very unattractive. However, with increasing commodity prices and a tightening of the market situation a favorable economic environment could develop. In 1991 the Antarctic Treaty will come up for review, and questions about a mineral development regime are of timely importance. The problem of mineral rights acquisition has to be solved before any mining can be legally performed. engineering requirements were based on Arctic operations, especially the Polaris and Lupin mines in northernCanada.Results of this study show that no mining will be economically feasible in the near future. However, the technical design parameters show that mining as such could take place, if the assumptions made in this study comply with the real geological situation of the Dufek intrusion. GEOLOGY OF THE DUFEK INTRUSIONThe Dufek intrusion is one of the largest known ultrabasic layered intrusions in the world. Wilson [1969] stated that nearly all of the layered mafic intrusion complexes show economically significant deposits of one or more metals. Behrendt et al. [1980] estimated the area of the Dufek intrusion as exceeding 50,000 km 2, which makes it comparable in size to the Bushveld Complex. However, only a tiny upper section of the intrusion is exposed. The intrusion is of Middle Jurassic age and is part of the Pensacola Mountains, adjoining the Precambrian EastAntarctic Shield. No intrusive center of this 400,000km 3 volume body has been found yet.Although more than 95% of the body is hidden under snow and ice and thus only a very small data base is available, speculations on possible resources have been made. Ford [1983] compared the Dufek intrusion with the Bushveld and other igneous complexes mainly on the concept of "unit regional value" in order to determine the potential of the Dufek...
Regression modeling of Texas oil well drilling, equipment and operating costs was performed with the price of oil being the only independent variable. Cost functions were established for West Texas and South Texas for three different depth intervals. Cost comparisons were made possible on a regional and depth basis as well as on a process basis (primary vs. secondary recovery operations - the latter for West Texas only). Best results were achieved for mid-range and deeper West Texas oil drilling costs, West Texas secondary lease equipment costs and West Texas and South Texas operating costs.
L unar helium-3 is considered one of the potential resources for utilization as a fuel source for future Earth-based nuclear fusion plants. With a potential start-up of a commercial fusion power plant by the year 2050, the author describes technology and commercial aspects for a lunar helium-3 mining operation that could fuel such a power plant. Barriers for development are mostly inferred to exist in the fusion part of the helium-3 value chain. Commercially, a helium-3 operation would have to compete with other energy supply sources that might become available in the future and that could be developed in a stepwise function instead of in an all-encompassing effort. The author suggests that space technology research, development, and demonstration and fusion research should be pursued separately and should only form a symbiosis once a common fit caused by separately achieved scientific and/or technical progress justifies a joint commitment of financial resources. Research, development, and demonstration costs for these programs will be several hundred billion dollars, which will mostly be provided by public investments. The private sector, however, is emerging in space technology and could play a significant function in such a value chain, as outlined in the suggested business model. The author does not suggest such an operation as of yet, but instead that only a high-value resource-such as helium-3-could justify such endeavor. However, even then, other difficult-to-extract resources on Earth, such as gas hydrates, most likely would be preferred as an investment opportunity over a lunar mining development.
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