Japan discovers large quantity of rare earth, hopes to break China’s chokehold on supply

[Aepsilons]

A nice strategy, I know the US is going for that too, but their rational is economic reasons - rare earths tend not be economical to extract, and for environmental reasons since rare earth mines have a poor impact on their surrounding region.

The US has a lot according to the USGS!

Rare earth element deposits: interactive map

Norway doesn't. But at least we've got our oil!

Oh the Americans have an incredible abundance of natural resources. She has the world's largest reserve of natural gas, and well, she hasn't even tapped into ANWR in Alaska, and that's not even including her vast, vast, VAST reserves of shale.

America is not only a military super power, but she is a natural resources power. Many times over.

Isn't that right @LeveragedBuyout Sir?

 

[LeveragedBuyout]

Oh the Americans have an incredible abundance of natural resources. She has the world's largest reserve of natural gas, and well, she hasn't even tapped into ANWR in Alaska, and that's not even including her vast, vast, VAST reserves of shale.

America is not only a military super power, but she is a natural resources power. Many times over.

Isn't that right @LeveragedBuyout Sir?

America's greatest enemy when it comes to resource extraction is its environmental lobby. This malevolent lobby has no intention of stopping its consumption of these resources, it just would prefer that China incur the environmental destruction and accompanying pollution.

 

[Aepsilons]

America's greatest enemy when it comes to resource extraction is its environmental lobby. This malevolent lobby has no intention of stopping its consumption of these resources, it just would prefer that China incur the environmental destruction and accompanying pollution.

Its actually rather practical minded of the Environmental Lobby. I mean, if i were to put the American Lens and think like an American, it makes sense.

 

[LeveragedBuyout]

Its actually rather practical minded of the Environmental Lobby. I mean, if i were to put the American Lens and think like an American, it makes sense.

Yes. It is also motivated by the profits it can derive from regulatory rents (e.g. Al Gore and the cap-and-trade scam). Hopefully Japan will not be impeded by its own domestic version.

 

[Aepsilons]

Yes. It is also motivated by the profits it can derive from regulatory rents (e.g. Al Gore and the cap-and-trade scam). Hopefully Japan will not be impeded by its own domestic version.

And all this time I was expecting it had to do with the bleeding heart liberalism that some of my left-leaning friends like to talk about. I always knew there was some underlying initiative. I haven't really read into the Al Gore Cap and Trade Scam. I'll have to read more into that, Sir. Thanks!!

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An excellent article that explains the current challenges as well as potentials in this new technological domain.

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Japan still deadly serious about finding own sources of technology metals

Remember the much-promoted story (2010 through 2013) about all the rare earths and other metals Japan had discovered beneath the seabed? Not much has been heard about that in recent months – which is not surprising given that it is widely believed Japanese manufacturers are obtaining regular REE (rare earth elements)supplies from illegal miners and exporters based in China; moreover, Japanese sources were reporting earlier this month that neodymium was trading at about $66 per kilogram, down more than 20% since April, and back at a price level last seen in 2010 before the great REE surge took place. The reports said Japanese companies were buying dysprosium in early June at around $350/kg, that being a five-year low.

So expensive seabed exploration and extraction clearly would not stack up in the present climate, one presumes. So how come a Japanese company is setting out to raise money to send a rover to the Moon to prospect for rare earths? It doesn’t sound like an idea whose time has come, given the terrible price falls across the mineral commodity range, does it? Tungsten, antimony, bismuth and selenium are among the technology metals that have taken hits in recent weeks. And on Monday’s session at the London Metal Exchange, nickel fell $645/tonne to $11,845 (its lowest since May 2009) and tin was hit again, dropping to a low of $14,425/tonne.

Exploring the Moon may not seem an idea likely to get much traction at a time when Greece is on the brink of economic collapse and China stock markets are being watched very closely as equities take more hits today, but the Nikkei news service seems to be taking it seriously. (And we must always keep in mind that the Japanese are long-term planners, so the present state of commodity prices may not figure too highly on their priority list.)

Nikkei reports that Tokyo-based Ispace Technologies plans to use multiple rovers to analyze the Moon’s surface. Then, says CEO Takeshi Hakamada, the company will sell the data to mining companies in Japan and abroad. But he does qualify the plans with the fact that Ispace has yet to raise the necessary finance.

There is another problem: the government is already planning something similar. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to launch a small lunar probe in the fiscal year starting April 2019 to look at the resources that the moon is thought to hold.

Ispace wants to target an area of the moon called Lacus Mortis, which means “Lake of Death.”

This plan originated with Professor Kazuya Yoshida at Tohoku University at Sendai, northeastern Japan. The Nikkei says Yoshida is influential in Japanese aerospace engineering circles. He was also involved in developing a small exploration robot carried on asteroid explorer Hayabusa 2.

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Shimbun reports the Japanese government’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency intends during fiscal 2017 to conduct deep sea test mining of minerals below the seabed off Okinawa. The newspaper says the government aims to mine as much as 1,000 tonnes of zinc, silver and other metals at about a depth of 1,600 metres. That is being billed as the world’s first large-scale seabed mining effort.

There has been so much focus on Japan’s total dependence on imports for its rare earths since the 2010 confrontation with China over disputed islands which led to Beijing cutting off REE supplies. But Japan is also 100% reliant on imports for all the iron ore, copper and zinc that goes into its factories and comes out as automobiles and household appliances.

- See more at: Japan still deadly serious about finding own sources of technology metals | InvestorIntel

 

[Fenrir]

And all this time I was expecting it had to do with the bleeding heart liberalism that some of my left-leaning friends like to talk about. I always knew there was some underlying initiative. I haven't really read into the Al Gore Cap and Trade Scam. I'll have to read more into that, Sir. Thanks!!

-----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

An excellent article that explains the current challenges as well as potentials in this new technological domain.

------------

Japan still deadly serious about finding own sources of technology metals

Remember the much-promoted story (2010 through 2013) about all the rare earths and other metals Japan had discovered beneath the seabed? Not much has been heard about that in recent months – which is not surprising given that it is widely believed Japanese manufacturers are obtaining regular REE (rare earth elements)supplies from illegal miners and exporters based in China; moreover, Japanese sources were reporting earlier this month that neodymium was trading at about $66 per kilogram, down more than 20% since April, and back at a price level last seen in 2010 before the great REE surge took place. The reports said Japanese companies were buying dysprosium in early June at around $350/kg, that being a five-year low.

So expensive seabed exploration and extraction clearly would not stack up in the present climate, one presumes. So how come a Japanese company is setting out to raise money to send a rover to the Moon to prospect for rare earths? It doesn’t sound like an idea whose time has come, given the terrible price falls across the mineral commodity range, does it? Tungsten, antimony, bismuth and selenium are among the technology metals that have taken hits in recent weeks. And on Monday’s session at the London Metal Exchange, nickel fell $645/tonne to $11,845 (its lowest since May 2009) and tin was hit again, dropping to a low of $14,425/tonne.

Exploring the Moon may not seem an idea likely to get much traction at a time when Greece is on the brink of economic collapse and China stock markets are being watched very closely as equities take more hits today, but the Nikkei news service seems to be taking it seriously. (And we must always keep in mind that the Japanese are long-term planners, so the present state of commodity prices may not figure too highly on their priority list.)

Nikkei reports that Tokyo-based Ispace Technologies plans to use multiple rovers to analyze the Moon’s surface. Then, says CEO Takeshi Hakamada, the company will sell the data to mining companies in Japan and abroad. But he does qualify the plans with the fact that Ispace has yet to raise the necessary finance.

There is another problem: the government is already planning something similar. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to launch a small lunar probe in the fiscal year starting April 2019 to look at the resources that the moon is thought to hold.

Ispace wants to target an area of the moon called Lacus Mortis, which means “Lake of Death.”

This plan originated with Professor Kazuya Yoshida at Tohoku University at Sendai, northeastern Japan. The Nikkei says Yoshida is influential in Japanese aerospace engineering circles. He was also involved in developing a small exploration robot carried on asteroid explorer Hayabusa 2.

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Shimbun reports the Japanese government’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency intends during fiscal 2017 to conduct deep sea test mining of minerals below the seabed off Okinawa. The newspaper says the government aims to mine as much as 1,000 tonnes of zinc, silver and other metals at about a depth of 1,600 metres. That is being billed as the world’s first large-scale seabed mining effort.

There has been so much focus on Japan’s total dependence on imports for its rare earths since the 2010 confrontation with China over disputed islands which led to Beijing cutting off REE supplies. But Japan is also 100% reliant on imports for all the iron ore, copper and zinc that goes into its factories and comes out as automobiles and household appliances.

- See more at: Japan still deadly serious about finding own sources of technology metals | InvestorIntel

Any chance JAXA and NASA can form a joint-venture with Planetary resources and explore some near-Earth asteroids and comets for rare-Earth (which ironically are common off of Earth) metals?

Space cooperation is strong in US-Japanese military activities due to strong Russian and Chinese activities, but their civilian cooperation is lagging behind each nations potential - and given their space histories, that's huge.

Honestly, right now the JAXA-NASA cooperation doesn't have a lot going for it, it can do better:

ISAS | Space Science between US and Japan / International Cooperation

These are what Planetary Resources has its sights on right now, but the scope can be expanded with more funding and direction from an outside source:

Planetary Resources | The Asteroid Mining Company

 

[Aepsilons]

Any chance JAXA and NASA can form a joint-venture with Planetary resources and explore some near-Earth asteroids and comets for rare-Earth (which ironically are common off of Earth) metals?

Space cooperation is strong in US-Japanese military activities due to strong Russian and Chinese activities, but their civilian cooperation is lagging behind each nations potential - and given their space histories, that's huge.

Honestly, right now the JAXA-NASA cooperation doesn't have a lot going for it, it can do better:

ISAS | Space Science between US and Japan / International Cooperation

These are what Planetary Resources has its sights on right now, but the scope can be expanded with more funding and direction from an outside source:

Planetary Resources | The Asteroid Mining Company

Good Evening Me'Lady,

Well this past December 2014, JAXA launched a new asteroid exploration mission. And in regards to future collaboration with NASA in space resource exploration, yes, i think it is only a natural progression. The moon, for example, is of specific interest.

http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/eposter/2011.pdf

 

[大汉奸柳传志]

Ohh Nice.. Me want some!

Let's make that island disputed.

 

[Fenrir]

Good Evening Me'Lady,

Morning. You're on the US East Coast? So midnight for you?

Well this past December 2014, JAXA launched a new asteroid exploration mission. And in regards to future collaboration with NASA in space resource exploration, yes, i think it is only a natural progression. The moon, for example, is of specific interest.

http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/eposter/2011.pdf

Cool, any chance you'd like to see some cooperation with the Norwegian Space Program?

No really, this is our space program.

Except for some communications satellites and a few relay stations, that's it:

Norwegian Space Centre

Well this past December 2014, JAXA launched a new asteroid exploration mission. And in regards to future collaboration with NASA in space resource exploration, yes, i think it is only a natural progression. The moon, for example, is of specific interest.

Joking aside, we're actually cooperating:

Delegasjon hos JAXA i januar 2015. På besøk hos JAXA i Tokyo i januar 2015 før avtale om forskning med to sonderaketter ble underskrevet. Foto: JAXA

Japanese-Norwegian agreement for sounding rocket research

Take that Poland! Norway can into space too.

 

[Aepsilons]

Japan loosens China's grip on rare earths supplies


JAPAN is pushing to secure at least 60 percent of its rare earth needs from outside China within four years, as it bolsters efforts to curb its dependence on the world's biggest producer of elements crucial in smart phones, computers and cars.

Japan aims to sign a deal as early as this month that would give it four types of light rare earths from India, and has helped fund an Australian rare earths mine and Malaysian processing plant built by Australia's Lynas Corp.

Its search for supply security has also led to a joint venture in Kazakhstan, recycling rare earths from batteries and motor magnets, and even exploring for rare earths in the Pacific Ocean seabed. China currently produces about 90 percent of the world's rare earths.


Japan, which sources virtually all its rare earths from China, either directly or indirectly, has been trying to find new sources of supply since its neighbor held back shipments in 2010 during a row over disputed islands and then curbed global exports to preserve its own resources.

"It is critically important for Japan to secure sources of rare earths outside of China," said Akira Terakawa, deputy director at mineral and natural resources division of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Indian deal would provide 15 percent of Japan's needs. If Lynas is able to ramp up production as agreed, Japan could be sourcing more than 60 percent of its expected rare earths demand from outside China by 2018, based on Reuters calculations from Japanese demand data and growth figures provided by a trading house which deals with rare earths.

Japanese demand is expected to be about 18,000 tonnes a year in 2018, with Lynas supplying 8,500 tonnes a year to Sojitz and India providing 2,500 tonnes.

The Indian project, being undertaken by a subsidiary of the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and Japanese trading house Toyota Tsusho Corp, aims to produce light rare earths elements such as cerium, a Toyota Tsusho spokesman said.

The two firms are negotiating commercial conditions, but the timing of an agreement has not been settled, he said.

URBAN MINING, SEABED DRILLING

Japanese manufacturers like Panasonic Corp, Toshiba Corp and TDK Corp all use rare earths in their products, while car makers like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd rely on rare earths for motor magnets that drive automated seats and windows, and for batteries used in hybrid vehicles.

Toyota, the world's best-selling car maker, has been trying to cut its use of rare earths metals and at the same time has been working to recycle the metals from nickel-metal hydride hybrid batteries to use in new batteries.

However recycling - dubbed urban mining - is seen only as a long-term solution, as there won't be enough used hybrid vehicles to tap for material until after 2025, according to Japan's government-backed research body New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Japan is particularly focused on alternative sources of the heavy rare earth element dysprosium, used in hybrid cars and energy saving appliances, for which supply is much tighter than for light rare earths elements like lanthanum and cerium.

"We are continuing our efforts to develop alternatives for dysprosium as there is a supply risk for the metal as it still heavily depends on China," said an official in the electronics, materials technology and nanotechnology department of NEDO.

Another Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp is working with Kazakhstan's state nuclear company to produce rare earth metals including dysprosium, and the joint venture sent a trial shipment to Russia in June, according to Sumitomo.

Sumitomo has said it aims to produce 1,500 tonnes of rare earths a year from the venture but has given no timeframe.

Japan is not stopping at land-based sources of rare earths, with Deep Ocean Resources Development Co and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) having snapped up two of 24 contracts issued by the International Seabed Authority to explore international waters for metals and minerals.

JOGMEC began a three-year program last year, drilling around 40 sites near Minamitorishima island in southern Japan to assess reserves.

"Our research is at an early stage and we still don't know how much rare earths there are in the deep seabed," a JOGMEC spokesman said.

Japan loosens China's grip on rare earths supplies| Reuters

 

[SR-91]

Japan loosens China's grip on rare earths supplies


JAPAN is pushing to secure at least 60 percent of its rare earth needs from outside China within four years, as it bolsters efforts to curb its dependence on the world's biggest producer of elements crucial in smart phones, computers and cars.

Japan aims to sign a deal as early as this month that would give it four types of light rare earths from India, and has helped fund an Australian rare earths mine and Malaysian processing plant built by Australia's Lynas Corp.

Its search for supply security has also led to a joint venture in Kazakhstan, recycling rare earths from batteries and motor magnets, and even exploring for rare earths in the Pacific Ocean seabed. China currently produces about 90 percent of the world's rare earths.


Japan, which sources virtually all its rare earths from China, either directly or indirectly, has been trying to find new sources of supply since its neighbor held back shipments in 2010 during a row over disputed islands and then curbed global exports to preserve its own resources.

"It is critically important for Japan to secure sources of rare earths outside of China," said Akira Terakawa, deputy director at mineral and natural resources division of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Indian deal would provide 15 percent of Japan's needs. If Lynas is able to ramp up production as agreed, Japan could be sourcing more than 60 percent of its expected rare earths demand from outside China by 2018, based on Reuters calculations from Japanese demand data and growth figures provided by a trading house which deals with rare earths.

Japanese demand is expected to be about 18,000 tonnes a year in 2018, with Lynas supplying 8,500 tonnes a year to Sojitz and India providing 2,500 tonnes.

The Indian project, being undertaken by a subsidiary of the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and Japanese trading house Toyota Tsusho Corp, aims to produce light rare earths elements such as cerium, a Toyota Tsusho spokesman said.

The two firms are negotiating commercial conditions, but the timing of an agreement has not been settled, he said.

URBAN MINING, SEABED DRILLING

Japanese manufacturers like Panasonic Corp, Toshiba Corp and TDK Corp all use rare earths in their products, while car makers like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd rely on rare earths for motor magnets that drive automated seats and windows, and for batteries used in hybrid vehicles.

Toyota, the world's best-selling car maker, has been trying to cut its use of rare earths metals and at the same time has been working to recycle the metals from nickel-metal hydride hybrid batteries to use in new batteries.

However recycling - dubbed urban mining - is seen only as a long-term solution, as there won't be enough used hybrid vehicles to tap for material until after 2025, according to Japan's government-backed research body New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Japan is particularly focused on alternative sources of the heavy rare earth element dysprosium, used in hybrid cars and energy saving appliances, for which supply is much tighter than for light rare earths elements like lanthanum and cerium.

"We are continuing our efforts to develop alternatives for dysprosium as there is a supply risk for the metal as it still heavily depends on China," said an official in the electronics, materials technology and nanotechnology department of NEDO.

Another Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp is working with Kazakhstan's state nuclear company to produce rare earth metals including dysprosium, and the joint venture sent a trial shipment to Russia in June, according to Sumitomo.

Sumitomo has said it aims to produce 1,500 tonnes of rare earths a year from the venture but has given no timeframe.

Japan is not stopping at land-based sources of rare earths, with Deep Ocean Resources Development Co and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) having snapped up two of 24 contracts issued by the International Seabed Authority to explore international waters for metals and minerals.

JOGMEC began a three-year program last year, drilling around 40 sites near Minamitorishima island in southern Japan to assess reserves.

"Our research is at an early stage and we still don't know how much rare earths there are in the deep seabed," a JOGMEC spokesman said.

Japan loosens China's grip on rare earths supplies| Reuters

Big news for Japan and its people. Congrats on tis huge find

 

[Aepsilons]

Big news for Japan and its people. Congrats on tis huge find

I thought i should mention that India will be a significant player in Rare Earth Metals production in the global market.

A healthy development, i must say.

India Ramps Up Rare Earth Production - Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Stainless, Rare Earth, Metal Prices, Forecasting | MetalMiner

 

[xunzi]

We strongly advise our Japanese friend to immediately mine for rare earth. This had been our official calling for the world to take a burden off us for quite a long time now.

 

[danger007]

Appears to be in Chinese waters

You are being loyal to your master... but those waters are well within Japanese EEZ... unless china bring out 11 dotted map ..

 

[XiaoYaoZi]

Play these little tricks to Chinese, naive and fanny.
Japanese always are the people that have no any great strategy mind and only like to play these little tricks. Our good funtune.