Japan to test rare-earth mining 6 km underwater
The test follows a recovery of 50 tonnes of seabed material containing yttrium, gadolinium and dysprosium, officials said.
- On Friday, Japan announced plans to conduct full-scale rare-earth mining tests in February near Minamitorishima, following a successful mission that recovered samples from 6 kilometers below the Pacific surface.
- China controls 92 percent of global refined rare-earth output according to the International Energy Agency, prompting Japan and other nations to seek alternative mineral supply sources independent of Beijing.
- The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology recovered 50 tonnes of seabed material from 6,000 meters deep, confirming the presence of yttrium, gadolinium, and dysprosium in the samples.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated Japan will "undertake efforts to strengthen the supply chain resilience, with the full involvement of both government and private sectors" to reduce dependence on specific countries.
- Environmental campaigners warn deep-sea mining threatens marine ecosystems, while Japan remains mindful of past supply restrictions Beijing imposed following diplomatic disputes regarding Taiwan in November.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Japan Finds Rare Earth Rich Deep Sea Mud Near Remote Island
Japan has identified a high concentration of valuable heavy rare earth elements in deep sea mud recovered from waters near the remote Pacific island of Minamitori, marking another step in its efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese critical mineral supplies. The Japanese government said on Friday that analysis of rare earth rich mud collected earlier […] The post Japan Finds Rare Earth Rich Deep Sea Mud Near Remote Island appeared first on Moder…
(Tokyo=Yonhap News) Correspondent Lee Do-yeon = It has been confirmed that rare-earth clay mined by Japan in the Pacific Ocean contains 'heavy rare earths,' which are essential for high-tech products...
Japan finds multiple rare earth elements in deep-water mining in Pacific
A Japanese project to secure critical minerals from deep waters off Minamitori Island in the Pacific has identified multiple types of medium and heavy rare earth elements that are integral to high-tech products, a government-affiliated research institute said Friday.
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