Myanmar’s Rare Earth Boom Sparks Global Alarm Over Ethics and Ecology

Myanmar's exports of rare earth magnets to China have surged exponentially since 2021, but the boom has come under fierce attack for environmental degradation and human rights violations. The mining operations, based in Kachin State, are now in the center of the controversy for unrestricted expansion and lack of transparency.

Major events:

Myanmar supplies 60 to 87 percent of China's imported rare earth magnets and thus is at the globalization hub

Mining operations have increased since 2021, with more than 245 new locations added since the military coup

They are controlled by private firms and militias who reap benefits while displacing and subjecting local communities to health hazards

Rare earth exports to China reached a high of USD 1.4 billion in 2023 while total post-coup exports amounted to USD 3.6 billion

Environmental and social effect:

Deforestation, water pollution, and chemical pollution devastated local ecosystems

Citizens report more cases of respiratory illness, skin disease, and abortions resulting from contact with chemicals employed in mining

Traditional animal husbandry and farming practices have disintegrated due to water and land pollution

Communities are exposed to forced land acquisition, hidden compensation, and mounting social tension such as drug addiction and gender violence.

International implications:

China's reliance on Myanmar's rare earths reveals the ethical dilemma of accessing important minerals for green technology

Demands for responsible mining and open supply chains are growing louder as global companies come under growing pressure to track origins

Sources: Economic Times, Global Witness, ISP Myanmar, Outlook Business, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Myanmar.com