The Japanese governme has announced that in order to reduce its strong dependence on China in the field of strategic minerals, it will start the experimeal operation of extracting rare earth elemes from the deep seabed in early 2025. The ambitious project, which will be implemeed in the coury’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean, could be a big step towards Japan‘s self-sufficiency in supplying vital raw materials for advanced industries.
According to Tekna Technology News Media, rare earth elemes are a group of 17 chemicals that are used in the production of a wide range of high-tech products, including electric car batteries, wind turbines, and military systems. Currely, China dominates the supply chain of these materials, and this has raised concerns about the economic security of consumer couries. Tokyo hopes to strengthen its position in this strategic market by exploiting the huge reserves discovered on the seabed.
The experimeal mining operation will involve removing mineral-rich mud from the depths of 6,000 meters of the sea, which is considered an engineering and environmeal challenge. Environmeal experts have raised concerns about the poteial impact of these activities on marine ecosystems, but Japanese authorities have promised to enforce strict standards to protect the environme. The success of this project could change the geopolitical landscape of energy and minerals in the Asia-Pacific region.
