"How China has relocated its most polluting mines to war-torn Myanmar" Le Monde, 23 July 2025

Jiangxi, a rural province in southern China, is the global center of production for some of these metals, specifically the "heavy" rare earth elements [...].

[...] the number of mines in Jiangxi has fallen dramatically. The reason is that in recent years, China has become aware of the environmental cost [...].

[...] the central government launched a major campaign to close small private mines starting in 2011. [...].

[...] private mines, which operate entirely outside of regulation, have not disappeared. The activity has simply moved elsewhere. [...] They have gone [...] to [...] northeastern Myanmar, along the Chinese border.

[...] This shift has placed the global supply of rare earths within the complex geopolitical landscape of Myanmar's guerrilla-controlled areas.

The first mining operations appeared in territory held by [...] Zakhung Ting Ying [...] in late 2024, his stronghold was seized by the Kachin Independence Army [...].

Beijing does not want to depend on this group [...]. Production has thus shifted south and now flourishes in Shan State.

With no oversight or regulation, pollution in these areas is at least as severe as it once was in Jiangxi. [...] Local populations are alarmed by the contamination. They can also no longer use water from this tributary of the Mekong River after noticing the fish have been affected.