Evaluation of cobalt-rich crust resources based on fractal characteristics of seamount terrain

Abstract

In order to ensure the target selection of the cobalt-rich crust exploration and thus to benefit the mining area application in the future, it is necessary to conduct the method research for the resources calculation and the exploration area circling. In this paper, we employ the fractal parameters of the seamount terrain isoline to explore the relationship, that exists in the distribution and enrichment of the seamount cobalt-rich crusts and the seamount distribution fractal parameters, to provide quantitative basis for judgment of the blocks to be estimated. Finally, we carry out an empirical research with the terrain and station sampling data of a certain seamount in the Central Pacific and establish the scheme of circle mines by selecting the suitable threshold value of fractal box dimension. Then we use Ordinary Kriging method to complete the resources evaluation of cobalt-rich crust. © Springer-Verlag 2009.