Reference News Network, July 5 report - According to the website of the "Nikkei Shimbun" on July 1, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) will start experimental drilling for rare earths in the waters around Okinotorishima in January 2026. The agency will use the drilling ship "Chikyu" to extract rare earth-containing mud located 5,500 meters below the sea surface. If successful, this will be a world first. In the context where China accounts for most of the global production of rare earths, Japan's move aims to promote the development of domestic rare earth resources.

The seabed within Japan's exclusive economic zone is rich in mud and rocks containing rare earths. Just around Okinotorishima, the rare earth reserves amount to 160 million tons, ranking third in the world. This area is rich in elements such as dysprosium, used in magnetic motors for electric vehicles (EVs), and gadolinium, used as a control material for nuclear reactors.

Regarding rare earth production around Okinotorishima, the Japanese government stated in its key strategy for ocean development: "To achieve social application as soon as possible after fiscal year 2028." As part of a research project under the Cabinet Office, JAMSTEC plans to place a pipeline called a "mud-lifting pipe" from the "Chikyu" to the seabed, collecting seabed mud through suction.

The agency successfully completed a technical verification in August to September 2022 at a depth of about 2,500 meters near Ibaraki Prefecture. This trial aims to verify the feasibility of drilling and mining at a depth of 5,500 meters, paving the way for future large-scale mining.

The deep-sea rare earth trial was originally planned to be implemented in the fiscal year 2024, but due to delays in the delivery of pipelines commissioned to a British company, the trial was postponed to the fiscal year 2025. Pipeline procurement work was completed in May of this year, and the plan to start the test drilling in January 2026 has finally taken shape. Including surrounding equipment, the cost of logistics for pipelines and other materials is approximately 1.2 billion yen (about 83 million US dollars).

The trial will take place in the waters 100 to 150 kilometers around Okinotorishima, including operations such as lifting and lowering the pipeline, with a total duration of about three weeks. Approximately 35 tons of mud is expected to be collected, transported back to the Japanese mainland by the "Chikyu". It is estimated that about 2 kilograms of rare earths can be extracted per ton of mud.

JAMSTEC plans to launch a larger-scale drilling test in fiscal year 2027, extending the operation period to over one month, with a goal of collecting 1,000 tons of mud. (Translated by Ma Xiaoyun)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523553650346869294/

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