We gratefully acknowledge the following institutions for their generous support of this year’s UMI 2005:

The U.S. Geological Survey provides unbiased scientific data and research in the public interest on a wide range of earth science issues including geologic hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides, hurricanes, floods, and others), resources (mineral, energy, water, biological), geoenvironmental studies, earth surface processes, coastal and marine issues, mapping, water issues, biology and ecology, among others. Scientific and resource studies concerning marine mineral deposits and gas hydrates are addressed primarily through their Coastal and Marine Geology Program.

The Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences at Kiel University (IFM-GEOMAR) was founded in January 2004 by the fusion of the Institut für Meereskunde (IfM) and the Research Center for Marine Geosciences (GEOMAR). The institute is aimed toward the interdisciplinary investigation of all relevant aspects of modern marine sciences, from sea floor geology to marine meteorology. Research is conducted throughout the world in all oceans. The institute focuses on four major research divisions: ocean circulation and climate dynamics, marine biogeochemistry, marine ecology, and the dynamics of the sea floor.

There are two major, interdisciplinary research projects at the Leibniz Institute. SFB 574 addresses the impact of subduction on the development of the Earth´s climate, geochemical evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere, and the causes of natural disasters. SFB 460 investigates fluctuations of water mass formation and transport processes in the subpolar North Atlantic, in order to gain a better understanding of their significance for the dynamics of thermohaline overturning and oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2. With annual funding from state and federal governments and research grants, four research vessels, several major laboratories, and an attractive aquarium, the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences belongs in the top league of oceanographic institutions world wide.

Placer Dome is one of the world's largest and most successful gold mining companies, with contributions from copper and silver. The Vancouver based company operates 17 mines in seven countries.

Through focused investment in exploration, Placer Dome actively searches for and advances quality projects that will drive production growth. In 2004, Placer Dome expects to produce about 3.6 million ounces of gold and 400 million pounds of copper. At the end of 2003, Placer Dome’s proven and probable mineral reserves totalled a record 60.5 million ounces, up from 52.9 million ounces one year earlier. In addition to reserves, Placer Dome’s measured and indicated mineral resources also increased, rising from 74.8 million ounces in 2002 to 85.8 million at the end of 2003.

Placer Dome is highly committed to sustainability. Mineral exploration and development can have a significant impact on the environment and local communities, in some circumstances extending well beyond the mine site. Poor environmental performance and consequent social impacts by some companies have affected the reputation of the whole industry to the extent that the principal public concern about mining is its impact on the environment. Placer Dome was proud to be one of the first companies to adopt a sustainability policy in 1998.

Safety is paramount at Placer Dome and our people constantly strive to integrate the highest safety standards through exploration, design, construction, operations and closure. All exploration programs and Placer Dome's exploration team maintain an outstanding safety record, ensuring that all our people understand that no task is so important that time cannot be taken to complete work safely.

Nautilus Minerals Inc. is actively exploring in the Western Pacific for seafloor massive sulphides. Nautilus holds exploration tenements and applications covering 15,000 square km in Papua New Guinea and has lodged applications in Tonga and Fiji. After completing a pre-feasibility engineering study, Nautilus formed a technical alliance with key players in each element of the proposed exploration and mining process. Placer Dome has recently entered in to an agreement with Nautilus Minerals to explore for gold in Nautilus' PNG tenements. Nautilus retains the right to explore on its own for copper zinc deposits.

Mining on the seabed has not commenced, and Nautilus Minerals and its exploration partners are paying particular attention to the environmental aspects of their search. As part of an environmental study, the volcanic structures and other features that are of interest to the exploration scientists are being carefully assessed with the understanding that unusual eco-systems may congregate around these sources of heated water on the seabed. Environmental authorities and mining regulators are being kept fully appraised of the exciting new development. Nautilus promotes an open data policy and seeks to collaborate with research institutes.

The International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) is a professional society whose members share a common interest in various aspects of marine minerals. Founded in 1987, the IMMS now includes a worldwide membership of individuals from industry, government agencies, and academic institutions. The primary objective of the IMMS are: (1) to promote and improve the understanding of marine mineral deposits within the province of the global ocean; (2) to aid in the interchange of information among members through networking and formal symposia; (3) to encourage the prudent development of marine mineral resources, including concern for the environment; (4) to encourage research in all aspects of marine minerals development.

IMMS is a co-sponsor of the Underwater Mining Institute (UMI) and holds its annual meetings in conjunction with the UMI. Members of the IMMS receive a bi-annual newsletter, which includes summaries of the latest developments in the field of marine minerals. On occasion the IMMS presents the Moore Medal award to an individual who has contributed notably to the goals and initiatives of the Society in the areas of research, development and management. The Moore Medal is named in honor of the late Professor J. Robert “Robby” Moore. Professor Moore spent a long and distinguished career dedicated to the goals that are now followed by IMMS. He founded the UMI in 1970, and with the collaboration of several colleagues, initiated IMMS in 1987.

The Hawai'i Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) at the University of Hawai‘i was established to study deepwater marine processes in the Pacific Ocean. Charged with manned submersibles and an ROV, HURL research projects cover the geology and biology of emerging and subsiding islands, marine product and fishery assessments, processes of submarine mineral accumulations on seamounts, volcanoes, and islands, and deep-sea marine ecosystems influenced by natural and man-induced processes.