Japan Discovers Massive Rare Earth Deposit in Pacific Ocean

Daily Current Affairs / Japan Discovers Massive Rare Earth Deposit in Pacific Ocean

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Category : International Published on: March 25 2026

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Japan has discovered over 16 million tonnes of rare earth elements beneath the Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima island. The deposit includes critical minerals like yttrium and dysprosium, essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Scientists used advanced deep-sea drilling techniques to access the resources at 6,000 metres depth.
The deposit could meet global demand for certain elements for up to 700 years. This discovery strengthens Japan’s resource security and could reshape global supply chains, though environmental concerns regarding deep-sea mining remain significant.