Japan Launches Project to Extract Rare Earth Minerals from Seafloor
(MENAFN) Japan is set to initiate an unprecedented pilot project in January aimed at extracting rare earth minerals from deep-sea mud, according to media. This ambitious endeavor will be led by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, marking a world-first attempt to recover these critical materials from such deep oceanic depths.
The project will deploy the Chikyu, a scientific drilling vessel, to the seabed about 100 to 150 kilometers (62 to 93 miles) off the coast of Minami-Torishima Island, located roughly 1,950 kilometers (1,211 miles) southeast of Tokyo. The mission will involve lowering a pipe nearly 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) beneath the ocean’s surface to collect a total of 35 metric tons of seafloor mud, an operation that is expected to span about three weeks.
Experts estimate that each ton of the extracted mud will yield approximately 2 kilograms of rare earth minerals, which are essential for a range of technologies, including electric vehicle motors and nuclear reactors.
Japan’s exclusive economic zone is believed to harbor the world’s third-largest reserves of rare earths, with the Minami-Torishima region alone holding an estimated 16 million tons. The area is particularly abundant in dysprosium, a key component in electric vehicle magnets, and gadolinium, which plays a crucial role in nuclear control rods.
At present, China dominates global production of rare earths. This new extraction project could reduce Japan’s dependence on Chinese supplies and secure a more stable, domestic source of these vital resources.
Originally scheduled for 2024, the pilot project faced delays due to a late pipe delivery from the United Kingdom. A second test, set for 2027, aims to extract 1,000 tons of seafloor mud. Additionally, Japan is exploring the possibility of constructing a basic refinery at Minami-Torishima to streamline the transport and processing of the extracted materials.
This bold move positions Japan at the forefront of global efforts to tap into the untapped potential of the ocean floor, potentially transforming the landscape of rare earth extraction.
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