Japan finds rare earths in deep-sea hunt to reduce reliance on China

Japan has successfully retrieved rare earth elements at record sea depths of 6,000 meters in the Pacific Ocean, reducing its dependence on China for these valuable minerals. The sediment containing rare earths was collected by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and is being analyzed for quantity. This achievement is seen as crucial for economic security and maritime development. Japan’s efforts mark the world’s first attempt to tap deep-sea rare earths at such depths, aiming to secure a stable supply of these critical minerals.

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