人类开发陆地矿物资源早在石器时代就已开始,距今有几十万年的历史;然而,今天单纯依靠陆地提供矿物原料已不能适应工业发展的需要了。近年来,随着科学技术的飞跃发展,人类对自然界认识的不断深化,向海洋索取工业原料的海底采矿工业也有了较快的发展。目前,世界上石油总产量的18%、天然气的6%是由海底开采出来的;英国 Human development of terrestrial mineral resources began as early as the Stone Age, dating back hundreds of thousands of years; however, the provision of mineral raw materials by land alone today can no longer meet the needs of industrial development. In recent years, with the rapid development of science and technology, people have continuously deepened their understanding of nature and the submarine mining industry that has obtained industrial raw materials from the sea has also enjoyed rapid development. At present, 18% of the world’s total oil production and 6% of natural gas are produced from the seafloor; the United Kingdom