♦ Japan has identified a vast deposit of rare earth elements nearly 6,000 metres beneath the Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima island. The discovery, described as a “rare earth giant,” could significantly reshape global resource security by providing a long-term supply of critical minerals essential for modern technologies.

♦ Scale and Composition of the Discovery the deposit contains over 16 million tonnes of rare earth-rich mud, including key elements such as yttrium and dysprosium. These materials are crucial for manufacturing high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced electronics. Estimates suggest that the deposit could meet global demand for some of these elements for up to 700 years.