The Solwara 1 deposit is a stratabound Seafloor Massive Sulfide located on the flank and crest of a sub-sea volcanic mound that extends approximately 150-200 m above the surrounding seafloor. The average depth of the deposit is about 1,550 m below sea leval (BSL). The slopes of the mound are relatively steep and interrogation of a coarse digital terrain model (DTM) indicates slopes are generally in the range of 15° to 30° but can be locally steeper. There are some flatter areas near the crests of the ridges where much of the deposit is located.

The Solwara 1 deposit is located on the crest and slopes of the Suzette volcanic edifice at an average depth of 1,520 mbsl. Suzette is the northernmost edifice of the Su Su knolls, which also includes North Su and South Su, at 1,150 and 1,320 mbsl respectively.

Su Su knolls are part of a NNW trending volcanic ridge that is about 7 km long and comprises basalt to dacite lavas and breccias. At Suzette, hydrothermal mineralisation is found along the top and flanks of the ridge including chimneys and clay-altered volcanics. Coherent volcanic facies including pillow lavas, sheet and block-jointed lavas are exposed. Volcaniclastic facies include breccias, talus and fine grained volcanic sediments. The Solwara 5, Solwara 9 and South Su prospects are also located on this ridge.

Solwara 12 is located on the SE edge of the Desmos Caldera on a distinctive knoll at around 1,850 mbsl to 1,900 mbsl. The mapped chimne ........

The selected mining method is based on a common surface mining method, open pit benching. The process of mining is the same as terrestrial mines: to expose mineralised material, achieve fragmentation, load and haul. Fragmentation at Solwara 1 will be achieved by mechanical cutting rather than drill-and-blast.

The three main mining tasks (sediment removal, rock cutting, and transfer of fragmented cuttings to surface) are performed by three seafloor production tools and a positive displacement pump, which are the four machines listed below and known collectively as the seafloor production equipment: Auxiliary cutter; Bulk cutter; Collection machine; Subsea slurry lift pump.

The seafloor production equipment will be remotely controlled by operators located on board the production support vessel.

The production process is broken down into the following tasks:
1. Remove the unconsolidated sediments.
2. Level the chimneys.
3. Establish the site and prepare a bench for bulk cutter operations.
4. Bulk cutter production – mineralised material pumped to stockpile:
a. ramp-down to the toe of the bench to be cut
b. cut a bench (bulk cutter production cut), bench may vary from 1 m to 4 m in height.
5. Auxiliary cutter production – mineralised material pumped to stockpile:
a. cut 4 m benches when auxiliary cutter available (auxiliary cutter production), or in locations where
the bulk cutter cannot o ........

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