For C21, Nauru, it was guano. For Ogasawara islands, JD1, it's rare earth-rich mud will change the face of this tiny island chain overnight, with the discovery of these important mineral compounds. Rare earth compounds are used in electronics, and in particular in making strong, compact magnets, and superconductors. CNN reports the 'game changing' discovery: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/16/asia/japan-rare-earth-metals-find-china-economy-trnd/index.html JD1 is a rare DXCC entity and a favorite of Dxpeditions. We may be seeing more common OTA activity as the rare earth mining changes the growth of the islands.
BTW the DX Counter here is MINAMI-TORISHIMA. It is considered separate from the Ogasawara islands, for DXCC.
The rare earth-rich mud is sea-bed located and forms a vast region well out from the island. It will get sucked up and then processed. The island itself is only 30 acres in size, and peaks at about 10 feet. Previously it was a LORAN C facility. Like most of the islands in that area, it is coral and guano and sand. PRC (China) controls the world's supply of rare earth compounds, basically a monopoly. Until now. The discovery at M-T was made 5 years ago, The 'news' today signals the beginning of efforts to mine.
Rare Earth pops up where you least expected, heck right here in Nebraska not to far from Omaha some someone is going to get filthy rich. "announced that they have found significant amounts of rare earth elements and niobium in Elk Creek, a rural town of 112 people"
There are numerous proven rare earth sources, including one mine in California. Most closed down in the face of lower production costs in China. They can be re-opened when economically viable.
I guess rare earth is where you find it ! There use to be a rare earth mine at the top of Mt. Pass on interstate 15 on your way to $$$ Las Vegas $$$. But that mine looks closed ? Lets just hope that earth does not become RARE EARTH ! We had a close pass the other day by a large Asteroid ! check out space weather.com. This large ROCK came very close to Earth ! I see KB4QAA posted while I was writing mine !
