Subsea trove of rare minerals found near Japanese island
- 6 years ago
TOKYO — A plethora of rare earth minerals have been discovered on a remote Japanese island, according to new research published in Scientific Reports.
Researchers says that the seafloor surrounding Nishinoshima island is laden with enough 16 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides, the South China Morning Post reported, citing the study.
On a global scale, the study estimates that the find could meet 62 years of yttrium demand, 47 years of europium, 32 years of Terbium, and 56 years of dysprosium needs.
Researchers says that the seafloor surrounding Nishinoshima island is laden with enough 16 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides, the South China Morning Post reported, citing the study.
On a global scale, the study estimates that the find could meet 62 years of yttrium demand, 47 years of europium, 32 years of Terbium, and 56 years of dysprosium needs.