True, it is getting harder to find those enormous metal deposits on the surface. They are, in Australia at least, taking to hiding under deep cover.

However, some believe going even deeper in another medium is the way forward.

Fugro is starting its first project supporting deep sea polymetallic nodule mining under contract with Nauru Ocean Resources Inc in the deep waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The project, which started on April 19, will advance NORI's project chasing the potato-sized concretions enriched in nickel, copper and cobalt that exist on the seafloor.

The site characterisation surveys will involve acquisition of high-resolution imagery and geophysical data and sampling of minerals from the seafloor.

Fugro will also measure geotechnical properties, catalogue the mineral resource and help NORI determine optimal mining areas.

The data acquisition and sampling will take place in water depths of up to 4500m over a 400sq.km area between the Clarion and Clipperton fracture zones.
The field work will be accomplished using the company's Echo Surveyor VII autonomous underwater vehicle and specialised seafloor sampling equipment.

NORI is a subsidiary of DeepGreen Metals.

DeepGreen Metals CEO Gerard Barron said Fugro's technology, technical capabilities and track record made it the perfect partner for the project.

Subsea mining is not new.

Nautilus Minerals lays claim to being the first company to commercially explore the seafloor for massive sulphide systems.

It is pushing ahead with its Solwara 1 project in waters off Papua New Guinea.