Japan Demonstrates Deep-Sea Mud Mining for Rare Earths, Signals Tech and Policy Hurdles
Japan conducted a deep-sea mining test near Minamitorishima, successfully pumping mud from about 6,000 meters depth rich in rare earth elements, a government-led milestone toward diversifying supply away from China. The test focuses on proving the pumping capability rather than immediate commercial volumes, with plans to scale to hundreds of tons per day in the future, while environmental impacts and international regulatory rules for seabed mining remain contested.