Japan to limit rare-earth mining to protect offshore deposits
The date of：
2021-12-23
viewed:
16
TOKYO -- The Japanese government decided Tuesday to restrict access to the nation's rare-earth resources to a roster of approved miners to protect offshore deposits within its exclusive economic zone.Only operators licensed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will be allowed to mine rare earths. The plan was approved by a METI subcommittee Tuesday, with the legislative proposal to be submitted to next year's regular parliamentary session.At present, rare earths fall beyond the scope of Japanese law regulating mining. When the mining laws were originally written, policymakers did not foresee any domestic rare-earth development. But sediments containing high concentrations of rare earths have been discovered recently in coastal waters.In addition, the government plans to allow the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. (JOGMEC) to invest up to 75% in mining projects. The government will also allow JOGMEC to invest in or grant debt guarantees to Japanese mineral-refining operations. Under the current law, JOGMEC can only support refining operations overseas, mostly located in China. By allowing JOGMEC to finance refining at home, Japan seeks to mitigate supply-chain risks.As the world moves away from fossil fuels, the race has intensified for access to rare earths used for electric car motors. Demand for other mineral resources, such as lithium and cobalt used in storage batteries, has also skyrocketed.
Hot News
/
Related to recommend
2025
-
06
-
05
Click on the number of times:
0
Structural Transformations in Nickel-Doped Lanthanum-Based Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction 来源：ACS PublicationsMetal oxides are among the most promising electrocatalysts for...
2025
-
06
-
04
Click on the number of times:
0
Optimized Flux Single-Crystal Growth of the Quantum Spin Liquid Candidate NdTa7O19 and Other Rare-Earth Heptatantalates, ErTa7O19 and GdTa7O19 来源：ACS PublicationsSingle crystals are essential for...
2025
-
06
-
03
Click on the number of times:
0
Crystal Growth of Quaternary Rare Earth Selenosilicates by Using the Flux-Assisted Boron Chalcogen Mixture Method: Investigation of Their Magnetic and Optical Properties来源：ACS PublicationsA series of ...
2025
-
05
-
30
Click on the number of times:
2
Crown Ethers in the Group and Individual Separation of Rare-Earth Elements through Solvent Extraction: Interactions, Thermodynamics, and Applications Rare-earth elements (REEs) have a pivotal rol...