Facilitated by militia and military leaders, rare earth extraction in Kachin State near China has serious health, social, environmental and sovereignty implications.
Increase in rare-earth mining in Myanmar may be funding junta
Many of the illegal mines are in areas controlled by border guard forces and militias with links to the military
3 May 2021 • 6:00am
Illegal rare-earth mining in Myanmar’s northern border state of Kachin has surged since the February 1 military coup, raising fears that the illicit profits could be helping to fund the junta.
Environmental groups have reported a five-fold increase in excavations for the minerals, commonly used in mobile phones and electronics, as Chinese miners flood across the frontier to the townships of Pangwa and Chipwi.
Ja Hkaw Lu, from the Transparency and Accountability Network Kachin (TANK), told the news website Irrawaddy that the situation had spiralled out of control since the overthrow of the civilian government.
Illegal Rare Earth Mines on China Border Multiply Since Myanmar’s Coup
Rare earth mining in Pangwa Township, Kachin State, in 2019. / Myitkyina Journal
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By The Irrawaddy 26 April 2021
Illegal rare earth mining has surged in northern Kachin State on the Chinese border following Myanmar’s Feb. 1 coup in areas controlled by a junta-sponsored militia.
Environmental groups say mining has increased at least five times in Pangwa and Chipwi townships amid Myanmar’s political turmoil, with a rapid influx of Chinese workers.
“Before the coup, we only saw one or two trucks per day. Now there is no proper inspection we are seeing 10 to 15,” an activist in Chipwi told The Irrawaddy.