"The Minamitorishima operation, conducted with the scientific deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, represents the world's first attempt to sample at such depths."
"Rare earths are a group of 17 metals critical to advanced technologies, going into the production of high-strength magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and more."
"According to some estimates, the Japanese submarine deposit could contain more than 16 million tons of rare earths, shaping up as a crucial resource for the future."
"The Japanese government called the result 'a significant milestone in terms of economic security and overall maritime development,' emphasizing the strategic value of the undertaking."
Minamitorishima, a remote atoll in the Pacific, is the site of Japan's groundbreaking recovery of rare-earth elements from deep-sea sediments. This operation, conducted by researchers using the Chikyu vessel, marks the first successful sampling at such depths. The Japanese government views this achievement as a significant milestone for economic security and maritime development. Rare earths are essential for advanced technologies, and the estimated reserves around Minamitorishima could significantly bolster Japan's position in the global market and reduce reliance on Chinese imports.
Read at WIRED
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