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Myanmar: Myanmar resumes trade of rare earth minerals with China
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NAYPYITAW, 11 December 2021, (TON): Exports of heavy rare earth minerals from Myanmar to China have resumed after a months-long closure of the land border.
That is likely to mean more profits flowing to militia groups in Kachin State that are allied with the military regime and control areas where heavy rare earths are mined.
Campaigners have said the sale of the metals is strengthening Myanmar’s junta and have called for stricter regulations to ensure major car manufacturers are not using them in their vehicles.
Myanmar is one of the world’s two biggest sources of heavy rare earths, alongside China itself, and global demand for the minerals is rising fast because of their role in green technologies.
Dysprosium, a heavy rare earth mined in Myanmar, is a common component in the powerful magnets used in the motors of electric vehicles and wind turbines.
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