The US and South Korea launch a rare earth mining project in Vietnam.

To strengthen the supply chain of key minerals, on October 26, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that South Korea and the United States have launched a joint research project on the exploitation of rare earth elements in Vietnam.

Rare earth oxide samples are being studied in Vietnam. (Source: Reuters-Yonhap)

The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on October 26 that South Korea and the United States have launched a joint research project on the exploitation of rare earth elements in Vietnam, as part of an effort to boost cooperation to strengthen the supply chain of these critical minerals.

According to the Korea Times, South Korea and the United States will send researchers and geologists to Hanoi for three months starting in October 2023 to study the extraction of rare earth elements and other critical elements from coal ash, as part of the U.S. Embassy's Graduate Science Program (ESF).

The South Korean Foreign Ministry added that the U.S. has been conducting ESF projects since 2001, but this is the first time Washington has collaborated with a foreign partner, sending scientists to a third country. U.S. allies are also working closely with the Vietnamese government to facilitate joint research.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry affirmed that the project will seek to promote the use of environmentally friendly technologies for the extraction of rare earth elements, as well as enhance international cooperation in the processing of these critical minerals.

This collaborative effort also strengthens existing multilateral mechanisms on critical minerals, such as the U.S.-led Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), which U.S. allies have signed up to participate in.

The Multi-Surplus Supply Scheme (MSP) was launched by the US last year to boost global supply and encourage investment in critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The MSP is also believed to aim at reducing dependence on China for raw materials, particularly rare earth minerals, in which China is a leading supplier.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-han-quoc-khoi-dong-du-an-khai-thac-dat-hiem-tai-viet-nam-247617.html