Discovery of Rare Earth Minerals Off Japan Coast

Japan has found hundreds of years’ worth of rare earth materials underneath Japanese waters in Pacific - enough to supply to the world on a “semi-infinite basis,” according to a study published in Nature Publishing Group’s Scientific Reports. The materials sit in a roughly 965-square-mile Pacific Ocean seabed near Minamitorishima Island, which is located 1,150 miles southeast of Tokyo.

Japan discovered rare earth materials sit in a roughly 965-square-mile Pacific Ocean seabed near Minamitorishima Island image

China is recognized as a rare earth country in the world, with abundant reserves and the largest amount of production. It is rumored that the resources Japan imported from China are hidden under the sea. The truth of this matter is not known. However, Japanese scientists recently discovered a huge number of deposits on the seabed that have attracted the attention of many countries.

Although the new large-scale rare earth deposit country, currently has a large number of resources, its minerals are all on the seabed, and mining is more difficult than on land. It is hard to say whether the resources can be supplied to other countries such as the United States. However, due to the giant seabed minerals, it is believed that the US will not miss the opportunity, and will find ways to exploit it.

mud sample extracted from the depths of about 4000m below Pacific surface where rare earth elements were found image

Even if Japan has discovered the amazing reserves, it is not easy to mine. Many countries' ore mines and do not want them to be stored, but the production in these countries is costly, and the quality of products produced in the end is worse than imported. Therefore, even if the country can open mining deposits, it is not easy to produce and put them into use. Japan wants to become a real rare earth country, but it still needs a long way to go. After all, China has efficient and clean extraction technology, and it is still not easy to find alternatives.

Seventeen elements are categorized as rare earths. These metals are used in everything from smartphones, and electric vehicle motors to wind turbines. Japanese researchers call them "industrial vitamins" due to their critical role in high-tech sectors. Rare earth metals are crucial in the making of high-tech products such as electric vehicles, mobile phones and batteries, and the world has relied on China for almost all of its rare-earth material. The discovery of the deposits could pit Japan against China to become the world’s largest producer of the materials.

 

 

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