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Russian media: Japan strives to reduce its dependence on rare earths in China or cooperates with Russia
Publication Time:
23 Jul,2020
Japan has obtained the exclusive right to explore a rare earth mining area on the ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean from the United Nations International Seabed Authority.
Japan has obtained the exclusive right to explore a rare earth mining area on the ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean from the United Nations International Seabed Authority. It can conduct exploration and mining in an area of 3,000 square kilometers near Nantori Island, about 2,000 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, in the next 15 years. .
Exploration team leader, Professor Yasuhiro Kato of the University of Tokyo (Yasuhiro Kato) pointed out that according to preliminary research results, the metal reserves of the mining area are higher than expected. However, it is not clear when Japan can turn potential rare earth metal mining into reality.
In the past few years, Japan has invested in the mining and production of rare metals in Kazakhstan, and built a rare earth metal joint venture production plant in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan. In addition, in order to find alternative raw materials for rare earth metals, Japan is considering the use of waste electronic products, including mobile phones and computers, as renewable raw materials.
Japan is doing everything possible to reduce its dependence on China, which has a monopoly in the production of rare earth metals. China, which accounts for one-third of the world's rare earth reserves, currently supplies 90% of the global market. The main importing countries of rare earth metals are Japan, the United States and the European Union. For this reason, China significantly reduced rare earth production and exports in 2009, leading to price increases and dissatisfaction among major importing countries. Against the background of the intensification of territorial disputes with China, Japan feels passive.
At the same time, the Russian state-owned company PocTex and the private company ICT Group announced plans to mine rare earth deposits in the Republic of Yakutia and are preparing to invest billions of dollars in the Tomtor mining area in the Republic of Yakutia. The mining area is considered to be one of the largest rare earth deposits in the world, with proven reserves of 154 million tons. The ore rock contains yttrium, niobium oxide, scandium, terbium and other rare earth elements.
ICT Group spokesperson Vlad Verkhinen said: “Not only Japan, but the entire world is now paying attention to ensuring its own supply of rare earth metals. We do not have any cooperation plans in Yakutia for the time being, but as a consumer market, Japan Interested in all producers. We made the decision to mine rare earth metals with a view to the future. Not only do we hope for exports, but also take into account that the Russian industry’s demand for rare earth metals will increase. The characteristics of the mineral deposits can help improve its competition. ability."