Namibia and Japan Collaborate on Rare Earth Minerals Exploration

Namibia and Japan have entered into an agreement to jointly explore and develop rare earth minerals, as part of Japan's endeavors to establish mineral supply chains for the advancement of electric vehicle batteries.

The agreement involves Namibia's state-owned mining company, Epangelo, and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), a government agency. The collaboration will encompass a series of exploration initiatives.

Formally signed in Windhoek in August during Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura's state visit to Africa, this agreement builds upon existing cooperative frameworks between the two nations. Notably, it extends to the joint development of the Lofdal deposit—an advanced rare earths project located in Namibia's northwestern region.

Beyond its partnership with Namibia, Minister Nishimura's visit includes travel to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at pursuing supply chain arrangements for cobalt and other critical minerals.

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