稀土只是序章，有36种“风险元素”

Core Points - The US, Japan, and Europe are urgently seeking stable supplies of rare metals due to potential risks in the production of elements essential for smartphones and electric vehicles (EVs) [1] - Japan is focusing on seabed resources to secure rare metals, particularly in the waters around Minami-Torishima, with plans for experimental mining starting in January 2026 [5][6] - The concentration of production in a few countries poses significant risks, with 36 out of 65 elements classified as "risk elements," primarily rare metals [1][2] Group 1 - 80% of risk elements are produced by China, which has restricted rare earth exports as a countermeasure to US tariffs, impacting companies like Suzuki and Ford [2] - China controls over half of the production of 30 elements, including indium and bismuth, and uses its mineral resources as political leverage [3] - Emerging and developing countries, referred to as the "Global South," hold significant shares of risk elements, with Brazil producing 91% of niobium [3] Group 2 - The production share of iodine used in next-generation perovskite solar cells is nearly 70% controlled by Chile, indicating a trend of resource control beyond China [4] - Indonesia has banned the export of nickel, which accounts for 60% of its production, reflecting a global trend of regulating risk elements [4] - Japan is enhancing technology to extract risk elements from urban mines, particularly from discarded EVs and electronic devices, as a response to the anticipated increase in waste by 2030 [7] Group 3 - The project led by Japan aims to contribute to the supply chain beyond economic benefits, with large-scale mining trials planned for 2027 to recover 350 tons of seabed material daily [6] - Companies like Sumitomo Metal Mining and Nissan are working on recycling technologies for lithium-ion batteries and motors from hybrid and electric vehicles, targeting practical applications by around 2030 [7] - The challenges of high costs and insufficient recycling of resources highlight the need for a mechanism to retain resources within Japan, fostering competition and technological advancement [7]