fig3

Figure 3. Global distribution of the four primary classes of metal-rich deep-ocean mineral deposits: polymetallic nodules (blue); polymetallic or seafloor massive sulfides (orange); cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (yellow); and REE-rich muds (dark blue). The EEZ, identified potential zones such as CCZ, Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIB), Afanasy Niktin Seamount (ANS), Papua New Guinea's first offshore mining project-Solwara 1, and the site of Seabed Disturbance and Recolonization Experiment (DISCOL) by a German project are also shown. Modified after Miller et al.^[90].