Nautilus Confirms Successful Trial of New Spider-Inspired Samplers

Nautilus Minerals (TSX:NUS,OTC:NUSMF) has announced that it has successfully completed the first trial of its newly developed autonomous sediment sampler to be used in its developing underwater copper mining projects.

As quoted in the press release:

The insect-inspired creation is dubbed the “Nautilus Jumping Spider” and resembling its animal namesake, it sports a number of “tubular” legs. On landing on the seafloor, a mechanical trigger starts the suction system that delivers sediment up the tubular legs and into the sample housing. Following the release of a biodegradable sacrificial ballast weight, a deep-sea float lifts the sampler back to surface for later collection. The spider-inspired samplers have been developed to allow the exploration team to significantly increase sediment collection efficiencies from the seafloor while decreasing costs, potentially by an order of magnitude.  The company plans to test its extensive land positions in both Papua New Guinea and Tonga, in the later part of 2018, subject to financing.

Click here to view the full Nautilus Minerals Inc (TSX:NUS,OTC:NUSMF) press release.