Critical Minerals Subsidy Program

This programme, overseen by JOGMEC, aims to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals designated as specific important materials under the Economic Security Promotion Act and carried out in accordance with the Policy on Measures to Secure a Stable Supply of Critical Minerals.
Grant Coverage: Up to 50% of the applicant's share of costs for approved supply assurance projects.
Target Minerals: Includes 36 metal minerals, with immediate focus on: a) Lithium-ion battery materials: Manganese, Nickel, Cobalt, Lithium, and Graphite b) Permanent magnet materials: Rare earth elements c) Semiconductor materials: Gallium and Germanium d) Nuclear energy material: Uranium (for refining projects only)
Eligible Projects: 

1. Exploration and Feasibility Studies
2. Mine Development
3. Smelting and Refining
4. Technology Development

Project Requirements include: 

1. Ability to acquire mining rights
2. Ensure a certain quantity of production is supplied to Japan, contributing to supply chain diversification and resilience
3. Projects where grant support is more effective than existing JOGMEC financing due to special circumstances (e.g., environmental measures, human rights issues)
4. For technology development, projects with potential for concrete results in efficiency improvement or cost reduction in actual production processes

Two recycling projects have been subsidised under this grant programme:

1. Mitsubishi Materials Corporation: 
   • Demonstration at a pilot plant recovering and purifying nickel, cobalt, and lithium from black mass produced in the lithium-ion battery recycling process.
   • Grant Amount: Approximately 1.1 billion yen
2. Japan Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.: 
   • Demonstration at a pilot plant recovering and purifying nickel, cobalt, and lithium from black mass produced in the lithium-ion battery recycling process.
   • Grant Amount: Approximately 1.5 billion yen

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