Rare Earth News

Japan looks outside China for rare earth elements

Japan has begun talks with Myanmar as the country hopes to diversify its source of rare earth elements (REEs), which the company uses in a vast amount of high-tech goods and has traditionally received from China, according to The Japan Times.

China reportedly stopped shipments of REEs to Japan in 2010 over rising diplomatic arguments, which prompted the country to invite Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin to Japan to advance plans for alternative REE sources, the news source stated.

As a major producer of high-tech goods, such as smart phones and hybrid vehicles, Japan is eager to develop trade with countries other than China. Recently, many Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Laos, have announced interest in exploring rare earth deposits.

Canada has also been noted as a possible choice as Japan's rare earth supplier. According to AZO Mining, drilling operations are currently underway in several parts of Quebec, with many CEOs excited about the high levels of large carbonatite bodies found in the ground that could compare with any discovered around the world.