Japan found a huge source of rare earth in the sea

Japanese researchers have found a huge source of rare earth in the Pacific Ocean, with the concentration of this precious mineral in soil 30 times higher than that of Chinese mines.

Sludge samples taken from a depth of 5,800 meters below the ocean floor contain a large amount of rare earth, which is an important material for the production of technological equipment, such as wind turbines and iPhones, AFP believe on March 21.

This finding is great news for Japan because it is currently heavily dependent on supplies of rare earths from China, which currently owns about 90% of the world's rare earth reserves.

Japan announced the discovery of a huge amount of rare earth in the ocean floor

'Rare earths are essential for advanced technologies. Japan is faced with an urgent task, which is to ensure a stable supply of rare earth , 'scientists at the Marine-Land Science and Technology Research Agency said.

Sludge samples, collected from the ocean floor in the waters near Minamitori Island, about 2,000km southeast of Tokyo, contain rare earths 10 times higher than samples taken from the seabed in Hawaii. scientists said.

In addition, the concentration of rare earths and mud in the seabed in Japan's territorial waters is 20-30 times higher than the levels of mines in China.

Japanese scientists also estimate the amount of rare earths under the seabed is about 6.8 million tons, enough for Japan to use within 220-230 years.

Although the discovery may help Japan no longer have to depend on the supply of rare earths from China, but the cost to exploit reserves in the ocean is likely to be a difficult problem for Japan.

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan) reported that no one has yet exploited large deposits of minerals at a depth of 5,000 meters.