Home / Science / Japan Taps Deep Sea for Rare Earths
Japan Taps Deep Sea for Rare Earths
27 Jul
Summary
- Japan plans a large-scale deep-sea rare-earth mining trial in February 2027.
- A recent test yielded 54% medium and heavy rare-earth elements.
- These minerals are crucial for defense and electric vehicles.
Japan is advancing its deep-sea rare-earth mining capabilities with a large-scale trial planned for February 2027. This initiative stems from a successful preliminary extraction test conducted by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).
The January test, performed near the remote island of Minamitorishima within Japan's exclusive economic zone, revealed promising results. Mud samples collected from the deep sea contained approximately 54% medium and heavy rare-earth elements. Specifically, yttrium, gadolinium, and dysprosium were among the key minerals identified.
These rare-earth elements are of significant strategic importance. They are essential components in the manufacturing of advanced defense systems and are critical for the production of electric vehicles (EVs). Japan's venture into deep-sea mining aims to secure a stable supply of these vital resources.
