Scientists in Japan have made a major discovery that could significantly boost the country’s economy for at least the next decade.
A joint survey by The Nippon Foundation and the University of Tokyo has revealed a vast field of manganese nodules on the seabed near Minami-Tori-shima island, approximately 1,200 miles from Tokyo.
The underwater deposit, located 5,700 metres below sea level, contains an estimated 610,000 metric tonnes of cobalt and 740,000 metric tonnes of nickel.
These rare metals, crucial for the production of electric vehicle batteries, jet engines, and gas turbines, are valued at approximately $26.29 billion based on current market prices.
The manganese nodules are believed to have formed over millions of years as metals in the ocean attached themselves to fish bones and other organic matter on the seabed.
The survey, conducted between April and May 2024, explored 100 seabed sites using remotely operated underwater vehicles, uncovering an estimated 230 million tonnes of these rare minerals.
Professor Yasuhiro Kato, a resource geology expert at the University of Tokyo, stated that excavators plan to extract “three million tonnes annually” from the deposits.
This discovery could significantly reduce Japan’s dependence on foreign sources for these critical materials, particularly in the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.
While the economic potential is substantial, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining.
Professor Kato emphasised that the extraction process would be developed “while minimising the impact on the marine environment”.
However, some experts warn of potentially irreversible damage to ocean biodiversity.
The research team plans to begin trial mining of the nodules from 2025, using overseas mining vessels to extract several thousand tonnes daily.
The University of Tokyo expects that their research outcomes will help boost Japan’s growth by establishing a domestic supply chain stretching from ‘resource-mining’ to ‘manufacturing’.
This discovery marks a significant step for Japan in securing its supply of critical minerals and potentially reshaping its economic landscape in the coming years.
