{"id":5179,"date":"2018-04-13T06:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T10:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/business.financialpost.com\/?p=1574604"},"modified":"2018-04-13T06:00:27","modified_gmt":"2018-04-13T10:00:27","slug":"japan-has-found-a-semi-infinite-deposit-of-rare-earth-minerals-enough-to-supply-the-world-for-centuries-to-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lifeinsurance-orleans.ca\/index.php\/2018\/04\/13\/japan-has-found-a-semi-infinite-deposit-of-rare-earth-minerals-enough-to-supply-the-world-for-centuries-to-come\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan has found a \u2018semi-infinite\u2019 deposit of rare earth minerals, enough to supply the world for centuries to come"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deep sea mud off the coast of Japan contains enough rare earth metals to supply the world for centuries to come, a new study reveals.<\/p>\n

The study published this week in Scientific Reports<\/a> says the deposit, which lies within the Japanese exclusive economic zone, contains 16 million tons of rare-earth oxides, enough to meet the demand for yttrium for 780 years, europium for 620 years, terbium for 420 years and dysprosium for 730 years.<\/p>\n

The deposit \u201chas the potential to supply these metals on a semi-infinite basis to the world,\u201d the study said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rare earth elements are used extensively in technology such as smart phones, electric and hybrid cars, rechargeable batteries and screen display panels.<\/p>\n

The find could be a game changer for major electronics manufacturer Japan which has been at the mercy of the world\u2019s largest supplier China.<\/p>\n

In 2010, China cut its export quotas on rare earth minerals by 40 per cent and prices soared. The quotas were later dropped after complaints were taken to the World Trade Organization.<\/p>\n