In a first, Japan pulls rare-earth mud from over 19,000-ft below sea

Interesting Engineering·Feb 2

✦ NabkaNews BriefAuto-summarized from multiple outlets · verify with the source

Japan has retrieved rare-earth mud from a depth of over 19,000 feet below sea level, a first for the country. The move is part of Japan's effort to reduce its dependence on other countries, particularly China, for rare earth supplies. However, the viability of the project is uncertain, with some reports suggesting that it may face significant costs and slim prospects.

Full coverage

Japan Steps Up Deep-Sea Mining Plan to Cut Rare-Earth Dependence

Bloomberg.com·Feb 1

Japan Ocean-Mining Test Successfully Hauls Up Potentially Valuable Mud

The New York Times·Feb 7

A Tiny Uninhabited Japanese Island Sits on Top of an Estimated 730 Years' Worth of One Rare Earth China Controls. Japan Is Building a Deep-Sea Drone to Go 6,000 Meters Down and Get It

Autonocion.com·Jun 4

Japan reportedly to begin deep-sea rare earth mud extraction trial; Chinese expert says project viability faces prohibitive costs and slim prospects

Global Times·Jan 11

Japan steps up deep-sea mining plan to cut rare-earth dependence

The Japan Times·Feb 12

Japan retrieves rare earth-rich mud from seabed to lower reliance on China

朝日新聞·Feb 3

A New Frontier: Japan’s Deep-Sea Mining at Minamitorishima for US Rare Earth Resilience

Small Wars Journal·Sep 12

Japan's Rare Earths Island

News On Japan·Jun 4

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