[sisuarmalmicy]

Jun. 28, 2012 - Updated 12:12 UTC (21:12 JST) NHK News

A Japanese team of scientists say it has found massive reserves of rare earth metals in the country's
exclusive economic zone.

University of Tokyo Professor Yasuhiro Kato announced the results of his team's 4-year study of mud taken
from the 5,600-meter deep seabed in the Pacific Ocean.

The mud has high concentrations of dysprosium, used for hybrid car motors, and terbium, which is needed
for liquid crystal display panels.

The mineral-rich seabed is believed to be at least 1,000-square-kilometers in size and is located near
Minami-torishima Island, about 2,000 kilometers from Tokyo. The estimated 6.8 million tons of deposits is
enough to cover Japan's rare earth metal consumption for 227 years.

This is the first time large rare earth metal reserves have been discovered in Japan's exclusive economic zone.
The team will work with Japanese firms to study ways to take the mineral-rich mud from the deep sea.

Last year, the team found that the Pacific Ocean alone may contain 800 times more rare earth reserves than
the total of the earth's land. But developing natural resources in international waters requires coordination
with other countries.

At present, China produces more than 90 percent of the global output of rare earth metals.

Professor Kato says his team's discovery is significant because Japan can explore rare earth metals on its own.
He also says further surveys should start immediately to determine a precise distribution map.