Welcome to UMI

Introduction

'Infinite shoreline' by Kristi Petosa-Sigel, www.pineappleprints.com.

The Underwater Mining Institute brings together representatives from academia, industry, and government who have a common interest in marine mining and exploration. This annual forum has reported on the evolution of this industry for nearly four decades. Recent advances include:

Commercial development of sand and gravel deposits off Great Britain, Japan, and other coastal states;
Mining of high quality diamond deposits off Southern Africa;
Exploration for seabed sulfide deposits of precious and base metals; and
Research on seabed methane hydrate deposits as potential energy resources.

The UMI is where underwater mining representatives convene to exchange ideas, look for support and expertise, and share their challenges and excitement with fellow professionals and students from all over the world.

Since the first UMI was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1970, the Institute’s goal—to promote prudent and responsible development of marine mineral resources through technical presentations in venues that encourage informal free exchange—remains strong today. The technical theme varies each year, as does the meeting location and host. Presentations are scrutinized to ensure their contents to be substantive and stimulating. No proceedings are published nor are sessions recorded without permission from the contributors. International participation (to date by more than 25 nations) is promoted and supported. This unique and multidisciplinary approach is attributed to the Institute’s founder, the late J. Robert Moore, whose vision and contributions have laid the groundwork for the success of the UMI far beyond the borders of Wisconsin.

Professor Moore chaired each Institute until his passing. Dr. Charles L. Morgan, a former President of IMMS and longtime worker in the area of seabed minerals, has served as his successor since 1994.

The UMI was the catalyst for forming the International Marine Minerals Society in 1987, a non profit corporation to promote information exchange and international collaboration among its members, and the publication of Marine Georesources and Geotechnology (previously Journal of Marine Mining) consisting of research publications applied to the scientific and engineering aspects, and the management and utilization of seafloor sediments and mineral resources.

Contact Information

Underwater Mining Institute
Ms. Karynne Morgan, Conference Coordinator
University of Hawai‘i
1000 Pope Road, MSB 303
Honolulu HI 96822
Tel: +1 808.956.6036
Fax: +1 808.956.9772
E-mail: karynnem@hawaii.edu

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