Japan is allowed to exploit rare rare earths in the Pacific

The Japanese government said on July 20 that it has obtained a license to explore and exploit cobalt-rich rare earths at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean , a move that could reduce the dependence on needle supplies. rare type of Chinese.

>>> Japan found a huge source of rare earth in the sea

The International Seabed Agency (ISA) has basically approved Japan's exploration and exploitation plan of up to 3,000 square kilometers in international waters about 600km east of Minamitori Atoll. Minamitori is 1,850km south of Tokyo, part of the Ogasawara village under Tokyo's administrative management.

Map of Japan area allowed to exploit.(Photo AFP)

According to the assessment, the Earth's crust covering the above seabed is about 1,000-2,000m thick, containing about 6.8 million tons of rare earth metals such as manganese, cobalt, nickel and platinum.

It is expected that Japan National Oil, Gas and Metal Group will sign an exploration and official contract with ISA for 15 years on behalf of the government.

The acquisition of this maritime rights will help Japan access the supply of rare metals, which are widely used in the production of high-tech products.

The Japanese government is expected to complete the procedures for obtaining a catch certificate at the end of fiscal year 2013, ending in March next year, to reduce the dependence on rare metals imported from China.

The last time Japan won the right to exploit the mineral-rich seabed in 1987, in the seabed area there were manganese in the southeastern Hawaiian Islands.

However, this ore layer so far has not been exploited due to its depth of 4,000km above sea level.