Mineral Potential Of Japan

Mineral resources of Japan are remarkably characterized by the diverse variety of ores. Seventeen kinds of metallic ores are produced in Japan from approximately 175 mines, but the country is becoming increasingly dependent on imported ores, and 23 ores such as bauxite, nickel and platinum are not produced domestically. Self-sufficiency of non-metallic minerals is higher than metallic ores. Twenty three non-metallic minerals such as fire clay, pyrophyllite dolomite, and limestone are produced from about 1264 mines. About 22 minerals such as graphite, asbestos, fluorite, and phosphorites are not produced in the country. One of the major concerns of Japan is raise the self-sufficiency of raw materials. The result of the analysis of the mineral potential of Japan in relation to possible future domestic supply and is reported.