The United States and Japan are advancing plans to mine rare earths in deep waters about 6,000 meters deep near Minamitorishima Island, aiming to establish a complete supply chain from mining to magnet manufacturing, thereby reducing China's dominant position in critical minerals. Minamitorishima Island lies approximately 1,600 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, and its surrounding seabed is reportedly rich in rare earth resources sufficient to meet global industrial demands for hundreds of years. However, these deposits are buried in deep-sea sediments, and the mining depth may set a world record. Test samples collected this year by Japan revealed significant amounts of heavy rare earths—such as yttrium, gadolinium, and dysprosium—in which China currently holds a dominant position. Japan plans to continue test drilling and aims to develop a commercialization strategy by 2028. Several North American companies, including Houston-based Deep Reach Technology, have expressed interest in participating, though discussions remain in early stages. Japan currently leads the exploration efforts, but it may leverage technology and funding from U.S. oil and gas drilling firms in the future.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873378673765642/
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