Japan retrieves rare-earth mud from deep seabed test mission

TOKYO — Japan has successfully retrieved rare-earth-rich mud from the deep seabed for the first time, pulling material from about 6 kilometers (4 miles) below the surface during a test mission near remote Minamitori Island, according to the Japanese government and reporting from Reuters.

The month-long trial uses the drilling-equipped research vessel Chikyū and marks the world’s first continuous lift of rare-earth-bearing seabed mud from such depths to a ship, officials said. The effort is part of Tokyo’s push to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals, a concern heightened by recent export restrictions, Reuters reported.

What the mission accomplished

Operations began after the vessel arrived at the site on January 17, with recovery work starting January 30 and the first successful retrieval confirmed February 1, according to Japan’s Cabinet Office and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). By February 2, recovery was completed at three locations, JAMSTEC said in statements cited by Reuters and The Hindu.

Why the material matters

The mud is believed to contain dysprosium and neodymium used in electric-vehicle motors, along with gadolinium and terbium used in high-tech products, Reuters reported. Analysts say these elements are essential to magnets, electronics, and advanced manufacturing supply chains.

Next steps

Officials plan to analyze the recovered material’s volume and mineral content after the ship returns to port on February 15. Barring setbacks, Japan intends to move to a full-scale mining trial in February 2027, Reuters and The Hindu reported.

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