AFP reported today: "In order to reduce its reliance on rare earths from China, Japan's research vessel 'Earth' set off on Monday (January 12) to conduct rare earth mining tests near the Izu Islands. The research vessel will attempt to continuously extract rare earth-containing mud from 6,000 meters below the sea surface, which will be the first such attempt in the world. Experts say that if Japan can successfully produce heavy rare earths at the Izu Islands, it not only can be exported but also significantly enhance Japan's strategic position in the global supply chain."
Comments: This is the world's first attempt at deep-sea mining at 6,000 meters, facing three insurmountable challenges: technically, it must overcome extreme pressure and pipeline transportation; cost-wise, the energy consumption for mining and refining is 17 times higher than on land; environmentally, it could damage the deep-sea ecosystem and cause controversy. The so-called vision of "enhancing the global supply chain position" seems more like a strategic gesture than a feasible industrial breakthrough in the short term.
More importantly, the core competitiveness of the rare earth industry has never been just about "mining," but rather about "smelting and separation"—an area where China has firmly mastered the key technology. Even if Japan can excavate rare earth minerals from the seabed, it would still be difficult to bypass China's smelting technology barriers, ultimately likely ending up in an awkward situation of "self-sufficient resources but dependent processing."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854107362849864/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.