Assessment of Cobalt-Rich Manganese Crusts in the Hawaiian, Johnston and Palmyra Islands' Exclusive Economic Zones

Cobalt-rich manganese crusts occurring within the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Pacific island nations may be of long-term strategic importance to the major industrialized nations and represent an important long-term development option for Pacific island nations.
A resource assessment methodology is described and used to estimate the resource potential of cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese within the EEZs of the Hawaiian Archipelago, Johnston and Palmyra Islands. Results of this study indicate a resource of roughly 10 million tons of cobalt, 6 million tons of nickel, 1 million tons of copper and 300 million tons of manganese within the study area.
Available data on manganese crusts and ocean bottom topography is inadequate for undertaking a full assessment of the resource potential of crusts within the EEZs of most Pacific island nations. Therefore it is recommended that to evaluate the potential of these nations a comprehensive research programme should be developed and implemented.