US EditionWhy China's ultimatum to Myanmar rebels threatens global supply of heavy rare earths
MYANMAR'S KACHIN STATE, JUL 8 – China exerts diplomatic and military pressure on Myanmar rebels to protect its control over nearly half of the world's heavy rare earth supply amid ongoing conflict in Kachin state.
- During talks in May, Chinese officials threatened to halt rare-earth imports from KIA-controlled territory to leverage geopolitical influence amid escalating conflict in Myanmar.
- Last October, the Kachin Independence Army seized the main rare-earth belt, triggering the battle for Bhamo and intensifying conflicts over mineral control.
- Chinese customs data shows nearly half of global heavy rare-earths originate in Kachin, with a 50% import decline in five months, risking supply shortages.
- The ongoing conflict has disrupted mining and caused exports to plunge this year, as China pressures rebels to compromise amid escalating regional tensions.
- Experts warn that a prolonged disruption in Myanmar's Kachin heavy rare-earth supply could cause a global shortage by year's end, impacting EVs and wind turbines, due to near half of the world's supply originating there.
14 Articles
14 Articles
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China wields rare earths leverage in Myanmar’s civil warYou might not have heard of Kachin State in Myanmar, but the region, which lies along the Chinese border, supplies nearly half of the world’s “heavy rare earths.” Those minerals are crucial ingredients in high tech manufacturing. Much of Kachin is controlled by rebel groups battling the Myanmar junta, and until now China has bought the minerals directly from the rebels. But Beijing, recentl…
Why China's ultimatum to Myanmar rebels threatens global supply of heavy rare earths
The global supply of heavy rare earths hinges in part on the outcome of a months-long battle between a rebel army and the Chinese-backed military junta in the hills of northern Myanmar.
It’s now China vs Myanmar rebels in Kachin, home to half of world’s rare earth supply
Mines in Kachin state, notably those north of the strategically important garrison town of Bhamo, provide about half of the world's supply of heavy rare earths. After that, they are sent to China to be processed into magnets that run wind turbines and electronic cars
Colorado Springs Gazette
China risks global heavy rare-earth supply to stop Myanmar rebel victory
The global supply of heavy rare earths hinges in part on the outcome of a months-long battle between a rebel army and the Chinese-backed military junta in the hills of northern Myanmar.
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