Antarctica Minerals
There are many minerals in the Antarctic including coal, Iron Ore, Chromium, and Manganese.
Coal
Coal has been found in many regions of Antarctica, in East Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains and the Prince Charles Mountains. Minerals in the Transantarctic Mountains were found to be 200 million years old while in the Prince Charles Mountains they were 250 million years old. An investigation was once carried out and it was found that coal in the Transantarctic Mountains was of low quality with high moisture, high ash content and thin. The Prince Charles Mountain coal was thicker in continuous seams and of good quality. Both are still too far from a market so of no economic significance
Iron Ore
Iron Ore is widespread across East Antarctica but mostly is under ice and hard to reach though some can be found in the Prince Charles Mountains. Most iron formed 2 billion years ago when oxygen first started to form in the atmosphere. Most of the ore has been traced almost 100 km under the ice using magnetic methods so it is of no use. Ores also only contain about 35% iron so like coal it is of no economic significance.
Chromium
Chromium is found in one region in the East of Antarctica or so it is believed as no Chromium has been seen. This hypothesis was formed when magma spilt out of the ground 170 million years ago and it is likely it eventually cooled and crystallised. It is thought to be almost 350 metres thick yet there is plenty of chromium elsewhere and there is almost no reason for companies to attempt to mine it in the Arctic as they do not have any evidence as to whether it even exists.
Manganese
Seafloor Manganese is found in many of the world oceans. In many areas it is like a pavement of black, manganese and iron oxides. They also may contain more valuable elements like copper, nickel and cobalt. This is common near Antarctica yet the value of this mineral has not yet been proved as sea floor mining has not occurred in most areas let alone Antarctica.
In summary, there is no mining in Antarctica at present, and the treaty preventing all mining is still in place. It is difficult to imagine anyone wanting to mine in the foreseeable future due to extreme conditions. Also minerals in the Antarctic are non-renewable resources and when we do eventually run out we may not need these minerals any more as though there may still be cases where little amounts are needed, it is likely by the way things are heading, that we may be using other recyclable materials which are environmental friendly.
Coal
Coal has been found in many regions of Antarctica, in East Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains and the Prince Charles Mountains. Minerals in the Transantarctic Mountains were found to be 200 million years old while in the Prince Charles Mountains they were 250 million years old. An investigation was once carried out and it was found that coal in the Transantarctic Mountains was of low quality with high moisture, high ash content and thin. The Prince Charles Mountain coal was thicker in continuous seams and of good quality. Both are still too far from a market so of no economic significance
Iron Ore
Iron Ore is widespread across East Antarctica but mostly is under ice and hard to reach though some can be found in the Prince Charles Mountains. Most iron formed 2 billion years ago when oxygen first started to form in the atmosphere. Most of the ore has been traced almost 100 km under the ice using magnetic methods so it is of no use. Ores also only contain about 35% iron so like coal it is of no economic significance.
Chromium
Chromium is found in one region in the East of Antarctica or so it is believed as no Chromium has been seen. This hypothesis was formed when magma spilt out of the ground 170 million years ago and it is likely it eventually cooled and crystallised. It is thought to be almost 350 metres thick yet there is plenty of chromium elsewhere and there is almost no reason for companies to attempt to mine it in the Arctic as they do not have any evidence as to whether it even exists.
Manganese
Seafloor Manganese is found in many of the world oceans. In many areas it is like a pavement of black, manganese and iron oxides. They also may contain more valuable elements like copper, nickel and cobalt. This is common near Antarctica yet the value of this mineral has not yet been proved as sea floor mining has not occurred in most areas let alone Antarctica.
In summary, there is no mining in Antarctica at present, and the treaty preventing all mining is still in place. It is difficult to imagine anyone wanting to mine in the foreseeable future due to extreme conditions. Also minerals in the Antarctic are non-renewable resources and when we do eventually run out we may not need these minerals any more as though there may still be cases where little amounts are needed, it is likely by the way things are heading, that we may be using other recyclable materials which are environmental friendly.