Equipment for extracting ores from sea beds

Equipment for extracting ore from sea bottoms at great depth comprising

• (a) a surface ship (1) carrying means for supplying power required for the operation of an under-water part of said equipment and for storing the ore;
• (b) a relay unit (30) disposed at a given height above sea bottom, said relay unit comprising ore storing, sorting and intermediate washing means, and means for raising said ore;
• (c) an intermediate under-water station (20) interposed between said surface ship and said relay unit, an ore raising conduit (4) connecting said under-water station to said relay unit, and a charging conduit (3) connecting said intermediate station to said ship;
• and
• (d) at least one vehicle (50) for travelling along said sea bottom and comprising a propulsion system and a system for picking up, washing and treating the ore;
• (e) wherein said intermediate under-water station, immersed at a given depth below the level of the water so as to be always unaffected by the swell, comprises independent means for maintaining in operation said relay unit and said at least one vehicle and for ensuring the raising and the storing of the ore in the event of a disconnection of said under-water station from said surface ship.