Development and Application of Economic Evaluation Software for Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposits

Seafloor massive sulfides have the potential to become a significant mineral resource because of ample contents of Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, and Pb. In this paper, economic evaluation software for seafloor massive sulfide deposits is developed. A project of seafloor massive sulfides is selected as an application of the software. By sensitive analysis, some important factors to affect the economic feasibility are clarified. Quantitative information necessary for a more accurate evaluation is also discussed in this paper.