Japanese Team Finds New Source of Rare Earth Elements

Source: Slashdot
Posted: 2011-07-05 01:01:04

gyaku_zuki writes "As reported in the BBC, a Japanese survey team has discovered 'vast' quantities of rare earths in international waters in the Pacific Ocean. The search for alternative sources of these expensive elements (used in common consumer electronics including mobile phones) was intensified recently after a territory dispute with China, which produces more than 90% of the world's rare earths, resulted in China blocking export to Japan." Read more of this story at Slashdot.