South Korea has launched its deepwater exploration of minerals in the seabed off the Pacific island of Tonga, the land and maritime affairs ministry said Friday.
A 7,487-ton icebreaker and research ship, Araon, and a remotely operated vehicle were deployed to conduct the work, which is currently under way in the economic exclusive zone (EEZ) of Tonga, according to the ministry.
The exploration comes after the South Korean government acquired a license for so-called seafloor massive sulfides from the government of Tonga in March 2008. The project attracted about 15 billion won (US$ 13.8 million) in investment from five local companies.
Seafloor massive sulfides are polymetallic sulfide deposits containing various metals, such as copper, lead, zinc and gold, and are found in hydrothermal waters along the seabed.
The government has conducted underwater exploration three times in the area since it obtained the license, the ministry said.
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