Japan and resource-rich South Africa agreed Tuesday to cooperate in the production of rare metals such as platinum and cobalt, officials said.
The agreement was reached by visiting South African Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Akira Amari, the Japanese minister of economy, trade and industry, the officials said.
Amari plans to visit South Africa in mid-November, accompanied by Japanese industry representatives, to explore the possibility of joint resources development there, the officials said.
"Rare metals are important materials for use in high-tech goods. We want to cooperate with South Africa in a mutually beneficial manner," Amari was quoted as telling Sonjica.
Amari added that Japan has a strong interest in rare metals and rare minerals abundant in Africa at a time when their prices are rising due to growing demand and limited supply.
He proposed the joint development of mines for nonferrous metals in South Africa as Japan seeks to secure a stable supply of them for use in mobile phones, home appliances and other high-tech products, the officials said.
Amari also said Japan wanted to offer its technical and operational know-how to South Africa's plan to build nuclear power reactors, the officials said.
In an interview with the Japanese business daily Nikkei published Tuesday, Sonjica said South Africa planned to produce 20 percent of its electricity from nuclear power in 20 years' time. The current figure is six percent.
He added that his country planned to build new nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 20 million kilowatts at six places along its coast by 2027, according to the daily.
