Highlights of the Program

2 days business program:

Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.

SHOWCASING INNOVATION:

Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.

leaders talk:

Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

MULTIPLE STREAMS:

A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.

SMART TECHNOLOGIES:

Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.

roundtable discussion:

Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.

Program

Day 1 :
WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL, 2024
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN DEEP SEA MINING AND THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
Julie Vaughan
Reed Smith

Julie Vaughan

Reed Smith

  • Exploring the unique aspects of the international legal framework for deep-sea mining
  • The intersection of UK and EU obligations with the precautionary principle in mining decisions
  • Approaches to liability and dispute resolution in marine environmental harm
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON THE LEGAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS OF MINING IN OCEANS
10:10 - 10:30
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
  • Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
  • Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
  • Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues – don't forget your business cards!
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
COMMERCIALISING A DEEP SEA MINING PROJECT
Eleanor Martin
Norton Rose Fulbright

Eleanor Martin

Norton Rose Fulbright

  • Setting the context for critical minerals and navigating the regulatory frameworks
  • Comparative risk assessment of deep sea and land-based mining projects
  • Understanding the key ESG considerations in deep-sea mining
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON ISA'S LATEST REGULATIONS AND UPDATES FOR DSM
11:30 - 11:55
SELECTIVE HARVESTING: REIMAGINING DEEP SEA MINING
Oliver Gunasekara
Impossible Metals

Oliver Gunasekara

Impossible Metals

  • Introducing novel selective harvesting technology to reimagine harvesting polymetallic nodules
  • Environmental benefits of selective harvesting, including fauna avoidance and minimisation of sediment disturbance
  • Discussion on concept economics with comparison to other mineral harvesting technology providers
  • Technology readiness roadmap, with results from Eureka 1 testing and the status of Eureka 2 testing
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE ADVANCEMENTS IN NODULE HARVESTING FOR DEEP SEA MINING OPERATIONS
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE DEEP SEA MINING EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
DEVELOPMENT OF A MANGANESE COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Walter Sognnes
Loke Marine Minerals AS

Walter Sognnes

Loke Marine Minerals AS

  • The necessity for DSM to adhere to precautionary principles, aiming for the least environmental disruption
  • Addressing the challenge of sediment plumes in manganese nodule collection and its significant implications
  • Loke's innovative Minimum Plume Collection technology, aimed at drastically reducing the environmental impact
  • An insightful review of the developmental journey, methodologies, and current outcomes of this groundbreaking technology
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE TECHNOLOGIES FOR REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN DSM OPERATIONS
14:00 - 14:25
DEEP SEA MINERAL EXTRACTION: AN ALTERNATIVE VERTICAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Guido van den Bos
NOV RT Marine & Construction

Guido van den Bos

NOV RT Marine & Construction

  • Developing a vertical transport system for sub-sea mineral extraction
  • Adapting the transport system for diverse mineral extraction applications
  • Integrating vertical transport with vessel design and offloading operations
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON THE INNOVATIONS IN POLYMETALLIC NODULE EXTRACTION SYSTEMS
14:30 - 14:55
ON-SHORE HYDROMETALLURGICAL TREATMENT OF MN NODULES: CURRENT AND NEW APPROACHES
Niels Verbaan
SGS

Niels Verbaan

SGS

  • Providing an overview of metallurgical flowsheets considered for on-shore processing of Mn nodules
  • An update on recent internal SGS R&D focusing on selective recovery of Ni, Co, and Cu from Mn nodules
  • The importance of metallurgical piloting in reducing project risks
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE ADVANCEMENTS IN MN NODULES TREATMENT AND PROCESSING
15:00 - 15:30
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:30 - 15:55
A STEP CHANGE IN SEABED MASSIVE SULPHIDE CHARACTERISATION
Dag Helland-Hansen
EMGS

Dag Helland-Hansen

EMGS

  • Detailing Atlab consortia and the North Atlantic research expedition of 2022
  • Insight into the results and significant findings from the research cruise
  • Advanced sub-surface mapping techniques: seismic, CSEM, and MT integration
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON RESEARCH INITIATIVES AND RESULTS FOR EXPLORING SEABED SULPHIDES
16:00 - 16:25
TRACING DEEP-SEA MINING IMPACTS IN CCZ GERMAN LICENSE AREA
Josh Marsh
Environmental Tracing

Josh Marsh

Environmental Tracing

  • Tracking the challenges of seabed and sediment plumes in mining
  • Using EcoTrace® particles to replicate deep-sea sediment physical traits
  • Analysing the tracing trial results and their implications on plume models
  • Investigating the wider effects of sediment disturbances from mining
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF UTILISING TRACER TECHNOLOGY FOR MEASURING SEABED DISTURBANCE
16:30 - 16:55
EXPLORING MASSIVE SULPHIDES IN THE NORWEGIAN SEA
Bent Kjølhamar
TGS

Bent Kjølhamar

TGS

  • Norway on the verge of adopting legislation for mineral exploration in marine environments
  • Lessons from the Atlab-3 cruise on how to simultaneously map sulphides and the ecosystem
  • Identifying the seafloor massive sulphide deposits through integrated geophysical technology
16:55 - 17:00
Q&A SESSION ON NORWAY'S COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH
17:00 - 17:25
DEEP SEA MINING: HOW FAR ARE WE FROM EXPLORING THIS IN BRAZILIAN WATERS?
Joao Humberto Guandalini Batista
Foresea

Joao Humberto Guandalini Batista

Foresea

  • Brazil's stance at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) regarding deep-sea mining
  • Assessing the influence of Brazilian stakeholders on the future prospects of deep-sea mining
  • Expertise and accomplishments in deep water exploration, with a focus on the oil and gas industry
17:25 - 17:30
Q&A SESSION ON BRAZIL'S JOURNEY TOWARDS DEEP SEA MINING AND THE FUTURE PROSPECTS
17:30 - 18:30
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
THURSDAY, 18 APRIL, 2024
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
THE ISA'S RULES, REGULATIONS, AND PROCEDURES FOR EXPLOITATION: SUITABLE FOR ACTION?
Louise Woods
Vinson & Elkins

Louise Woods

Vinson & Elkins

  • Overview of ISA's Rules, Regulations, and Procedures on exploitation, legal risks, and gaps
  • The legal and logistical challenges in deep-sea mining exploitation
  • Analysis of uncertainty and risk in the supply chain from nodule extraction to the end customer
  • Presentation on various areas of risk and how they can be minimised and/or allocated through contracts
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON THE LEGAL AND LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES IN THE DEEP-SEA MINING INDUSTRY
10:10 - 10:35
DEEP SEA MINING IMPACT ON LONG-RUN COMMODITY PRICES
Juan Ignacio Guzmán
GEM Mining Consulting

Juan Ignacio Guzmán

GEM Mining Consulting

  • Examining the potential increase in mineral supply due to deep-sea mining and its market implications
  • The long-term effects of deep-sea mining on commodity price levels and volatilities
  • Geopolitical and market dynamics introduced by deep-sea mining activities
  • The environmental, economic, and technological factors influencing these impacts
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF DEEP SEA MINING
10:40 - 11:05
REALISING DEEP SEA MINING – INFORMED HOLISTIC SHIP AND TRANSPORT CHAIN DESIGN
Keith Hutchinson
Safinah Group

Keith Hutchinson

Safinah Group

  • Ship and marine systems design within regulatory frameworks and key drivers
  • Evaluating offloading and transportation with a focus on life cycle considerations
  • Strategies for realising compliant and safe mining asset solutions
  • Drawing on real-life mining ship projects to address subsea design challenges
11:05 - 11:10
Q&A SESSION ON ROBUST DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR SUBSEA MINING OPERATIONS
11:10 - 11:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:30 - 11:55
NEXT-GENERATION TECHNOLOGY TO FAST-TRACK SUSTAINABLE EXPLORATION OF SEABED MINERALS
João Carvalho
Deep Focus

João Carvalho

Deep Focus

  • Implementing AI-based technology to enhance decision-making in locating critical metal sources
  • Mineral targeting system that integrates diverse data with machine learning for predictive mapping of deposits
  • Status update on recent advancements, focusing on the polymetallic nodules resource assessment pipeline
  • Reviewing the potential of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the context of deep-sea mineral exploration
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE BENEFITS OF CUTTING-EDGE TOOLS FOR EXPLORING CLEAN ENERGY MINERALS IN THE DEEP SEA
12:00 - 12:25
DEEPSEA MINING: TECHNOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIETAL APPROACHES
Anantha Padmanabhan
SeaTech Solutions Europe

Anantha Padmanabhan

SeaTech Solutions Europe

  • Stakeholders' concerns regarding the viability of sustainable deep-sea mining
  • Challenges in DSM include technological maturity, environmental impact, and benefit equity
  • Options for DSM, such as robotics, AI in mining, financial strategies, and closed-loop systems
  • Support for DSM through regulatory frameworks, risk management, and mitigation strategies
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF DSM PROCESSES
12:30 - 12:55
MASSIVE SULPHIDE DEPOSITS AT THE SOUTHWEST INDIAN RIDGE
Chunhui Tao
Second Institute of Oceanography

Chunhui Tao

Second Institute of Oceanography

  • Hydrothermal circulation and its importance in the Southwest Indian Ridge
  • Modeling massive sulphide mineralisation in ultraslow-spreading ridges
  • Innovation in technologies and their practical applications
  • The current status and future prospects of sulphide exploration
12:55 - 13:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SULPHIDE DEPOSIT EXPLORATION
13:00 - 13:15
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
13:15 - 14:30
NETWORKING LUNCH

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