MELBOURNE/TOKYO – (Reuters) – Japan is pushing to secure at least 60 percent of its rare earth needs from outside China within four years, as it bolsters efforts to curb its dependence on the world’s biggest producer of elements crucial in smart phones, computers and cars.
Japan aims to sign a deal as early as this month that would give it four types of light rare earths from India, and has helped fund an Australian rare earths mine and Malaysian processing plant built by Australia’s Lynas Corp.
Its search for supply security has also led to a joint venture in Kazakhstan, recycling rare earths from batteries and motor magnets, and even exploring for rare earths in the Pacific Ocean seabed. China currently produces about 90 percent of the world’s rare earths.
Japan, which sources virtually all its rare earths from China, either directly or indirectly, has been trying to find new sources of supply since its neighbor held back shipments in 2010 during a row over disputed islands and then curbed global exports to preserve its own resources.
“It is critically important for Japan to secure sources of rare earths outside of China,” said Akira Terakawa, deputy director at mineral and natural resources division of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The Indian deal would provide 15 percent of Japan’s needs. If Lynas is able to ramp up production as agreed, Japan could be sourcing more than 60 percent of its expected rare earths demand from outside China by 2018, based on Reuters calculations from Japanese demand data and growth figures provided by a trading house which deals with rare earths.
Japanese demand is expected to be about 18,000 tonnes a year in 2018, with Lynas supplying 8,500 tonnes a year to Sojitz and India providing 2,500 tonnes.
The Indian project, being undertaken by a subsidiary of the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and Japanese trading house Toyota Tsusho Corp, aims to produce light rare earths elements such as cerium, a Toyota Tsusho spokesman said.
The two firms are negotiating commercial conditions, but the timing of an agreement has not been settled, he said.
URBAN MINING, SEABED DRILLING
Japanese manufacturers like Panasonic Corp, Toshiba Corp and TDK Corp all use rare earths in their products, while car makers like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd rely on rare earths for motor magnets that drive automated seats and windows, and for batteries used in hybrid vehicles.
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