Japan has successfully recovered rare earth sediments from a depth of 6,000 meters in the Pacific for the first time—a world record.
The goal: To reduce dependence on China, which controls nearly 70% of global mining. The government calls it "the first step toward the industrialization of domestic rare earths."
Details
The Mission: Independence from the "Monopolist"
The research vessel "Chikyu" recovered muddy sediments from record depths near the Pacific island of Minamitorishima, 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo.
- The surrounding waters are estimated to contain over 16 million tons of rare earths.
- These are the third-largest reserves in the world and enough to cover global demand for centuries.
The Technology: A mining machine on the seabed mixed the mud with seawater into a "slurry," which was pumped to the surface via a 6-km-long pipeline system.
The Treasures in the MudWhy these metals are critical
These elements are indispensable for the mobility and energy transition:
Element | Application |
Dysprosium (Dy) & Neodymium (Nd) | High-performance magnets for EV motors |
Samarium (Sm) | Missile guidance and microwave technology |
Yttrium (Y) | LEDs and superconductors in medical technology |
Gadolinium (Gd) | Control rods in nuclear reactors |
Reality Check
Although the success of the test extraction is being celebrated, the path to industrial use is still long:
- Costs: Operations at a depth of 6,000 m are extremely expensive. "Horizontal and vertical movements cause the highest costs," says the project leader.
- Technology: The processing of seabed soil into refined rare earths has not yet been proven.
- Timeline: Large-scale extraction (350 tons of mud per day) is not planned until February 2027.
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