Article

2018-04-14 China-Japan-Koreas

Japan just found a 'semi-infinite' deposit of rare-earth minerals ‐ and it could be a 'game-changer' in competition with China

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Posted by Skidmark 2018-04-14 14:31|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 There went China’s silver bullet.

Posted by Lowspark 2018-04-14 15:45|| 2018-04-14 15:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Just in time, right?

Maybe this was already part of Trump's calculus on trade negotiations.

Might this help explain China's artificial island? How defensible is it?

And it seems that we should be able to find alternatives to rare earths.

Posted by gorb 2018-04-14 16:15|| 2018-04-14 16:15|| Front Page Top

#3 Chine claims Sea of Japan in ten....nine....

Posted by Mecutio 2018-04-14 16:34|| 2018-04-14 16:34|| Front Page Top

#4 Expect China to get far more aggressive in the Sea of Japan.

Posted by DarthVader 2018-04-14 17:01|| 2018-04-14 17:01|| Front Page Top

#5 In January 2013, a deep-sea research vessel of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology obtained seven deep-sea mud core samples from the seafloor at 5,600 to 5,800 meters depth, approximately 250 kilometres (160 mi) south of the island.[9]

The research team found a mud layer 2 to 4 meters beneath the seabed that is extremely concentrated in rare earth oxides (REO). Analytical results showed that the maximum REO content in the mud was up to 0.66% REO. The deposit compares in grade with the ion-absorption-type deposits in southern China that provide the bulk of Chinese REO mine production, which grade in the range of 0.05% to 0.5% REO.[10] [11] Wikipedia

So why is it "news" today? Coincidence?

Posted by Bobby 2018-04-14 17:34|| 2018-04-14 17:34|| Front Page Top

#6 Might this help explain China's artificial island? How defensible is it?

Well, the Japanese have some experience with that, as does the Marine Corps.

Posted by Procopius2k 2018-04-14 18:46|| 2018-04-14 18:46|| Front Page Top

#7 Minamitori Island is not in the Sea of Japan. It's located somewhere in the middle between Tokyo and Guam.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2018-04-14 20:21|| 2018-04-14 20:21|| Front Page Top

#8 I mean Wake Island.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2018-04-14 20:23|| 2018-04-14 20:23|| Front Page Top

#9 I guess Trump was right when he said they need us more than we need them. Seems like its happening quicker than I thought.

Posted by Shake 2018-04-14 22:47|| 2018-04-14 22:47|| Front Page Top

#10 Deep sea mining? That’s the kind of high-tech operation that Japan could easily do, but China surely is not ready for.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-04-14 22:48|| 2018-04-14 22:48|| Front Page Top

#11 China would probably have no qualms putting a bunch of guys in wet suits, giving them buckets, and sending them into the water.

Posted by gorb 2018-04-14 23:28|| 2018-04-14 23:28|| Front Page Top

#12 In Mr. Miyagi accent: What is sound of monopoly breaking?

Posted by Anomalous Sources 2018-04-14 23:57|| 2018-04-14 23:57|| Front Page Top

23:57 Anomalous Sources
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22:44 Zenobia Floger6220
22:30 JohnQC
20:57 magpie
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