SHIZUOKA, Feb 16 (News On Japan) –
A deep-sea exploration vessel that efficiently recovered mud containing uncommon earth parts from a depth of 5,600 meters for the primary time on this planet has returned to Shimizu Port in Shizuoka City.
The deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, which arrived again at Shimizu Port on the afternoon of February 14th, succeeded on February 1st in retrieving mud containing uncommon earth parts from the seabed 5,600 meters beneath the floor in waters close to Minamitorishima, marking a world first.
Rare earth parts are important assets for vehicles, digital units and different merchandise, and the most recent achievement represents a big step towards future home manufacturing.
Shoichi Ishii, program director of the Cabinet Office’s Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, mentioned, “We aim to accelerate production technology for rare earth–bearing mud near Minamitorishima as part of Japan’s economic growth strategy announced last November, which includes ocean development as the 17th pillar under the Takai administration.”
Chikyu is scheduled to start full-scale mining exams for uncommon earth assets from 2027.
Source: FNN