Japan tested rare earth mining from the seabed 6,000 m deep

Japan on February 2 affirmed that this is the world’s first attempt to exploit rare earth elements in the deep sea. Government spokesman Kei Sato said the achievement was significant “in terms of economic security and comprehensive maritime development”, and said detailed analysis of the sediment would be carried out, including the exact content of rare earths in the sample.

The Chikyu ship with 130 crew members and researchers departed from the port city of Shizuoka on January 12 to Minami Torishima island, expected to return on February 14. The area around the island is estimated to contain more than 16 million tons of rare earths. According to Nikkeithis is the third largest reserve in the world, containing enough dysprosium (used in high-strength magnets for phones and electric cars) to last 730 years, and enough yttrium (used in lasers) to last 780 years.

Japan is making efforts to exploit rare earths to reduce dependence on China, the world’s largest rare earth supplier. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China accounts for nearly two-thirds of rare earth mining output and 92% of global refining output.

“The fundamental solution is to produce rare earths right in Japan,” said Takahide Kiuchi, an economist at Nomura Research Institute.

However, environmental activists warn that deep-sea mining will threaten the ecosystem and disturb the seabed. The International Seabed Authority (ISA), which has jurisdiction over the ocean floor beyond national territorial waters, is pushing for a set of global rules to regulate deep-sea mining. However, Japan’s testing took place in its territorial waters.

The Minamitori island project has been invested by the Japanese government with 40 billion yen (250 million USD) since 2018. The project team has not announced the estimated reserves and has not given a production target. If successful, a large-scale mining test will take place in February 2027.