A recent interesting development—Japan plans to conduct a trial extraction of rare earth elements at a depth of 6,000 meters in the Pacific Ocean, which is the first of its kind globally. The area near Minamitorishima Island has the third-largest rare earth reserves in the world, and the trial extraction is expected to continue until mid-February.

It seems Japan aims to change the pattern of rare earth supply from the source. After all, the rapid development of industries like electronics and electric vehicles will only increase the demand for rare earths. If deep-sea mining technology can be successfully implemented, this will not only be a milestone for Japan’s domestic rare earth industry but also trigger chain reactions in the global distribution of mineral resources.

From a market perspective, what does a new source of rare earth supply mean? Prices may face pressure, but it also signifies that technological breakthroughs in energy and mineral sectors are accelerating. Changes in the supply chain of such fundamental minerals often create significant ripple effects across related industries.