News Japan finds huge rare earth mineral deposits

Huge deposits of rare earth minerals found on Pacific Ocean floor.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2011/07/04/japan-finds-rare-earth-mineral-deposits/1

 

To think....Our smartphones come from that rubble...

 

Hmmm, I wonder what China will make of this?

 

This can only mean one thing:

INVEST!!!!

 

Always knew Motorola just put labels on bricks.

 

Good for Japan, they could really use the cash right now.

 

That's sailing a little close to the wind, Japan poking around near Hawaii ?

 

This is going to turn into a Hawaii trying to claim stake based on location, and Japan claiming stake based on discovery. Let the political bitching commence.....

 

And thus we are one set closer to giant mechs stomping the earth!

 

^ that!
^^ real good point!

 

Not stomping, sliding...

 

Probably cheap knock off smart phones and tablets.

 

"Omnitool upgrade unlocked"

 

Touche

 

What is so surprising? Japanese and Filipino are 2 most dominant cultures of Hawaii. Much more dominant than native Polynesians or Americans. Nothing changed in that matter since early 20th century. They don't poke near Hawaii. They live there for many generations.

Anyway, good on them. Keep China in check. They grow way too fast.

 

Genetic discussion aside, I think he was referring to the fact that Hawaii is part of the United States. If Hawaii do make claim to these minerals, I think we can be safe in saying that the U.S will back them. I don't think they would pass the opportunity to take some of the shine from China. It would certainly be a rather tasty economy boost.

regardless though, it is nice to think that the Chinese aggresive monopoly of these resources could be broken. I wonder if someone in Beijing is baking brownies over this? Hope so.

 

It may very well provide a tasty economic treat for the US, but lets face it, huge costing (which will be passed to consumers) will be involved if the US gets it's horrible mitts on it.

Take a step back and let the Japanese/Asians do their thing!

TSB

 

Let's hope that it is acually easy to extract, as the Japanese scientists have stated it is.

I'm in agreement to letting Japan have it though. It would certainly reduce China's capacity to bully them politically.

 

"China's monopoly has also led to the reopening of mines such as California's Mountain Pass in recent years as well. However, the Guardian reports that this find potentially increases known global reserves by 1,000 times, from 110 million tonnes to between 80 and 100 billion tonnes. "

From 97% to 0.001%, LOOOLLL. Serves those authoritarian communist *******s right.

 

Easy - yes. Cheap? - No.

Extracting just the rare earths will probably cost more than you can sell them.