日本發現稀土# WaterWorld - 未名水世界
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http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/04/japanese-scientists-discover
Japanese scientists discover massive rare earth deposits, China bristles
China's control over the rare earths market hasn't faced too many challenges
over the past few years, but that may be changing, thanks to a major
discovery in Japan. Geologists say they've uncovered expansive new deposits
of rare earth minerals, buried within a seabed some 20,000 feet below the
Pacific Ocean surface. Research leader Yasuhiro Kato estimates that the
deposits contain anywhere from 80 to 100 billion metric tons of rare earths,
which, if commercially viable, could pose a serious threat to China's
global hegemony. Supply shortages and aggressive Chinese export controls
have combined to raise global prices in recent years, much to the chagrin of
manufacturers who rely upon the metals to produce smartphones, tablets and
a wide variety of other gadgets. But with analysts predicting a rare earth
surplus within the next few years and Japan's mining industry now poised for
a potential resurgence, the outlook is certainly looking a lot brighter.
Japanese scientists discover massive rare earth deposits, China bristles
China's control over the rare earths market hasn't faced too many challenges
over the past few years, but that may be changing, thanks to a major
discovery in Japan. Geologists say they've uncovered expansive new deposits
of rare earth minerals, buried within a seabed some 20,000 feet below the
Pacific Ocean surface. Research leader Yasuhiro Kato estimates that the
deposits contain anywhere from 80 to 100 billion metric tons of rare earths,
which, if commercially viable, could pose a serious threat to China's
global hegemony. Supply shortages and aggressive Chinese export controls
have combined to raise global prices in recent years, much to the chagrin of
manufacturers who rely upon the metals to produce smartphones, tablets and
a wide variety of other gadgets. But with analysts predicting a rare earth
surplus within the next few years and Japan's mining industry now poised for
a potential resurgence, the outlook is certainly looking a lot brighter.