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Japan to collect rare metals for EVs, phones from deep ocean floor
A vast trove of valuable rare metals, cobalt and nickel to name just some, lies deep below the sea surface in Japan’s exclusive economic zone nearly 2,000 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, researchers say. Now, plans are afoot to begin trial collection of the manganese nodules, or mineral concretions, from the Pacific Ocean site as early as 2025 with a view toward commercialization. Manganese nodules rich in cobalt, nickel and other rare metals were found concentrated on the sea floor near Minami-Torishima island, Japan’s easternmost island, according to a June 21 announcement by the University of Tokyo and the ... (full story)
