COVID19 UPDATE: We’ll offer virtual conference solutions for presenters and participants in case one can’t travel to UMC 2020 or gatherings are still forbidden.
UMC 2020
Marine Minerals Solutions for Building a Green Energy Future
September 27 - October 2, 2020
The Vinoy Renaissance Resort
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Photo credit: Maersk
Underwater Minerals Conference
The World's Largest Gathering of Ocean Mineral Stakeholders
The Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) is an annual international forum, with representatives from over 25 countries that since 1970 has brought the marine minerals community together. UMC is the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders, including government, academic, and commercial sector
professionals. Topics considered for the conference include:
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Geological and biological studies of marine minerals deposits and their associated biological communities.
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Regulatory considerations related to mineral resource and environmental impact assessment.
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Technological considerations related to scientific survey objectives and commercial recovery objectives.
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General policy considerations related to the long-term development of these resources.
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Other relevant topics.
UMC 2020 - The 49th Underwater Minerals Conference is presented by the International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) in partnership with the University of South Florida College of Marine Sciences (USF CMS). This year's Technical Program Chair is Dr. John Wiltshire, former Director of the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaii.
The Conference venue is the Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.
Registration Dates
Photo credit: Geomar
UMC 2020 Focus
Marine Minerals:
Solutions for Building a Green Energy Future
The special metals found in rich deposits on the deep ocean floor are critical for smart electronics and crucial green technologies, such as solar power and electric cars. But as the world’s population rises, demand is now outstripping the production from mines on land for some important elements, like cobalt. The ocean mining business players say the extraordinary richness of the underwater deposits mean the environmental impacts will be far lower than on land. But critics say exotic and little-known ecosystems in the deep oceans could be destroyed and must be protected. This is where the dilemma starts. How do we meet our needs and our responsibilities towards the environments we could impact? This challenge has a solution that we need to find.
Important Updates
Due to the unprecedented COVID19 situation, IMMS and The Vinoy Renaissance are working to be best prepared for UMC 2020’s safety and success. This issue is probably on your mind as much as it is in ours.
We are setting up protocols for every area and department of the resort that will protect the safety of our guests and associates. We will provide detailed information soon and timely updates.
We are creating solutions to increase the sanitation of the furniture and equipment, and to help maximize our meeting room setups, allowing for social distancing and including virtual attendance and presentations. The kitchen and banquet team are creating options other than buffets that keeps the quality, choices, and ease of flow up to the cleaning and safety standards necessary.
Even with possible reduced in-person attendance, UMC 2020 will offer the expected networking opportunities, deep learning environment and fun activities that it has all these years. We will also be more flexible with our cancellation and refund policies.
These times are new and unpredictable; only by staying together will we get through these uncharted waters successfully. We are very grateful for your interest and look forward to welcoming you at UMC 2020!
UMC 2020 DETAILS
UMC provides a platform for researchers, business leaders, governing authorities, and other stakeholder to share about different national policies on underwater mining, research findings on different regions of the ocean and the development of new technologies that can help better manage operations underwater.
With historic elegance and a very modern sense of independence, The Vinoy Renaissance Resort offers a conference and vacation experience unlike any other. Ideally situated on the waterfront in St. Petersburg's, Florida's thriving downtown district, this award-winning hotel is a short distance from waterfront parks, restaurants, art museums, and sports arenas.
The rates are specially discounted for UMC guests starting at $169.
501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA 33701
UMC happens once a year and provides an indispensable source of information and exchange of ideas between the ocean mining industry, the government institutions, the non-profit organizations and academia. It has a scientific focus where the active marine mining players can learn more about the advances in ocean minerals science. The Underwater Mining Conference is the World’s largest gathering of Ocean Minerals Stakeholders
UMC 2020 SPONSORS
