President Trump has cleared the way for a race to the abyss to extract critical minerals, even though seabed mining technology remains under development and commercially unproven. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/22/world/politics/trump-minerals-deep-sea-mining/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #rareearths #mining #oceans #batteries #pollution #sustainability #us #donaldtrump

Scientists present at the latest effort to hash out international rules for deep-sea mining say it's unclear if it's possible to restore damaged sea floor ecosystems — or how long it would take. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/environment/2025/07/20/earth-science/sea-floor-mining-warning/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #environment #earthscience #oceans #mining #coral

Unusually large quantities of antimony — a metal used in batteries, chips and flame retardants — have poured into the United States from Thailand and Mexico since China barred U.S. shipments last year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/09/us-minerals-china-export-ban/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #rareearths #china #us #trade #mining #gallium #germanium

The global supply of heavy rare earths hinges in part on the outcome of a monthslong battle between a rebel army and the Chinese-backed military junta in the hills of northern Myanmar. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/08/asia-pacific/politics/china-rare-earth-myanmar-rebels/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #myanmar #rareearths #mining #southeastasia #china