Marine mineral resources of the South China sea

Abstract

The South China Sea is located within the domain of a plate triple‐junction and can be divided into five major geotectonic blocks that control the formation and distribution of the mineral resources of the region: (1) the southern China faulted block, (2) the eastern Indochina faulted block, (3) the Nansha‐Borneo faulted block, (4) the Taiwan‐Luzon faulted block, and (5) the central ocean basin faulted block. Apart from oil and gas, the most intensively exploited mineral deposits in the South China Sea are near‐shore placer minerals of titaniferous magnetite, zircon, monazite, tin, gold, and chromite. Based on analyses of submarine morphology and sea level change during the past 15,000 years, the South China Sea continental shelves are considered to be highly prospective for additional placer occurrence associated with such submarine features as: submerged platforms and terraces, drowned rivers and sand bars, ancient beaches, and seafloors covered by relict sediments. Additionally, based on available data, polymetallic sulfides and manganese nodules and crusts are considered as speculative resources of the future in the South China Sea.