Deep Reach Technology, Inc. Receives Contract from an International Contractor to Study Riser and Lift Systems for Seafloor Massive Sulfide Mining

Houston, Texas (USA) – 17 May 2013

Deep Reach Technology, Inc. (“DRT”) has been awarded a contract by an international engineering firm to study risers and lift systems (“RALS”) for a seafloor massive sulfide (“SMS”) pilot mining project. The project includes review of historical solutions for deep sea mining RALS and evaluation of solutions for this project. Considerations in this study will include: flow assurance, corrosion and wear, pump evaluation, riser and connectors, riser handling, identification of key suppliers and an overall techno-economic assessment of alternatives.

Seafloor Massive Sulfide deposits are modern equivalents to ancient volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits such as porphyry copper deposits associated with the giant copper mines in the U.S. and South America. The deposits are formed from hydrothermal fluids escaping from the earth’s core through fissures in the crust which precipitate at the seabed. The resulting deposit is a hard rock that requires excavation. The potential ore is dense and highly abrasive, presenting challenges for hydraulic lifting.

This project will evaluate these challenges and propose a suitable RALS for this application.