Subsea mining system, and a method of deploying a subsea mining system

Abstract

Fig 2 A vessel-deployable support jig 100 for a subsea mining system in a body of water is disclosed, the support jig including at least two shackle assemblies 120a, 120b, each shackle assembly of the at least two shackle assemblies configured to releasable secure to the support jig a respective container 200 for collecting seabed nodules. The support jig also includes: a first coupling means 131 configured to releasable secure the support jig to a first bullet of a lift line system, wherein the lift line system is mounted to a vessel and configured to deploy the support jig from the vessel; and a second coupling means 132 configured to fixedly suspend the support jig from a jig line system mounted to the vessel as the jig line system lowers the supporting to a depth proximal to a seabed of the body of water. Also described is a method of lowering the jig (figs 5A – 5C) and a seabed nodule jumper hose for transferring nodules in a slurry from the mining machine, the hose being in a series of separable sections, (fig 4).