Japan Plans Large-Scale Deep-Sea Rare-Earth Mining Trial Next Year

Japan plans to launch a large-scale deep-sea rare-earth mining trial in February 2027 following a successful initial extraction test that yielded crucial minerals used in defense and electric vehicles (EVs).

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) said Friday that medium and heavy rare-earth elements — including yttrium, gadolinium and dysprosium — accounted for about 54% of the rare earths found in mud collected in January near Minamitorishima, a remote island in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.