Unearthing Buried Veins of Gold: Urban Mining and the Future of Resource Recycling (December 2008)
In this age of global resource depletion, the battle for rare metals is becoming increasingly fierce. Under these circumstances, the concept of "urban mining," in which rare metals contained in used electronic equipment and products are recovered and reused, is attracting attention. Japan is almost entirely dependent on imports of metals such as indium, selenium, and lithium, which are indispensable for advanced technologies, and securing these metals has become an urgent issue from both economic and security perspectives.
The utilization of urban mines is an effective means of circulating limited resources domestically, but in reality, advanced sorting technology and processing costs are barriers. In addition, the business is strongly influenced by international market prices, making it unprofitable when prices are low, while overharvesting of resources can occur when prices soar.
In addition, serious social problems such as environmental destruction and harsh working conditions have surfaced at mining sites in developing countries. Japanese companies and the government are required to have a sustainable resource policy that includes ethical considerations. Urban mines are expected to be utilized not only as a mere recycling technology, but also as a "gold mine of the future" that simultaneously ensures resource sovereignty, environmental conservation, and economic rationality, based on institutional development, international cooperation, and technological innovation.
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