Environmental and human rights concerns rise over Myanmar’s rare earth magnet exports to China

New Delhi: Rare earth magnet exports to China from Myanmar’s Kachin State are damaging environment and impacting the health of locals, raising concerns about environmental damage and human rights violations, said an article in a newspaper published by Myanmar’s information ministry.

Since 2021, mining activity has increased sharply in the country’s northernmost province, bordering China, where armed groups exert considerable influence, with Myanmar supplying 60-87 per cent of China’s rare earth magnet imports during the past few years, according to the article. However, unchecked mining has led to deforestation, water pollution and health risks for local communities in the province, it said, adding that some of the mining operations are linked to armed groups.

Although rare earth mining in Kachin State has generated billions in export revenue, the benefits are distributed unequally, according to the article. It said that armed groups and private companies operating the mines are reaping substantial profits.

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