(Yicai Global) Aug. 30 -- An oceanographic research ship left Qingdao in East China headed for the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone in the East Pacific yesterday, carrying a team of geologists and scientists to study polymetallic nodules on an expedition organized by China Minmetals Corp., The Paper reported.

The company's mission is to conduct undersea examinations in an area of 72,000 square kilometers in the East Pacific, collect data about the distribution of polymetallic nodules and geological features of deposits in the area, estimate the total amount of local-control of resources and select test exploration sites, the report said. The expedition will last 15 years.

China Minmetals is the only deep-sea mining site exploration contractor in China. It signed a deal with the International Seabed Authority on May 12 that allows it to explore a polymetallic nodule site on the seafloor in the fourth international exploration area allocated to China.

The 90-day voyage is the first offshore survey performed by the firm, and it is also an important part of the Jiaolong Tanhai initiative introduced by China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA). China Minmetals' Changsha Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is responsible for organizing the voyage, and SOA's Second Institute of Oceanography and North China Sea branch will oversee survey technology development and ship protection.

China Minmetals has a long history of developing cutting-edge technologies for marine mineral resource development and exploration, and is recognized as leading player in the field. The voyage marks an important step in the group's efforts to advance One Belt, One Road, go global and embrace national marine economy strategies.