REM International’s analysts tested the collected samples and found a vast array of resources of essential metals including nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese, all which are contained in polymetallic nodules that sit deep on the ocean floor.

REM International’s Exploration Manager, Mr. Satoshi Tanaka commented on the discovery saying “This is an important step for our future, especially since many operations globally were halted due to Coronavirus pandemic. The global demand for these metals, which are essential components of the batteries that power electric cars and other technologies, is going to grow due to the global demand.”

“We’re thrilled to have successfully processed ocean nodules into base metals and we aim to move very quickly to build upon this discovery. This is a big leap for us in the minerals industry and we hope to use this recent expedition to further test our work and engineering that will lead to a metallurgical flowsheet at scale to produce nickel and cobalt sulfate and copper cathode products with zero solid waste,” added Satoshi Tanaka, Exploration Manager of REM International.

About Us - REM International

REM International is a mineral exploration and production company with a commitment to discover, develop and produce from Rare Earth Mineral sites throughout the Pacific Ocean. REM International has a focus on innovative, state of the art technology in its exploration, analysis and mining of mineral sites, utilizing the latest advances in undersea robotics.

REM International has mining interests in both the Okinawa trough which lies to the northwest of Okinawa Island and off of the Izu Islands south of Tokyo bay. REM International geologists were also recently a part of an exploration of over 78 sites across the Pacific Ocean which concluded that more than 100 billion tons of rare earth minerals reside in the soft mud of the Pacific floor.

Japan consumes approximately 30,000 tons of rare earth metals each year and the Japanese Natural Resources and Energy Agency has, over the last few years, placed a focus on increasing Japan’s production of rare earth metals, offering development grants and exploration concessions in both the Okinawa Trough and around the Izu Islands. Both areas are highly active volcanic regions with rare earth producing hydrothermal vent systems.