"Toxic Rare Earth Mining Ravages Farmland and Threatens Livelihoods in Eastern Shan State", Shan Herald Agency for News, 22 September 2025

[...] more than 40 acres of farmland have been destroyed downstream of rare earth mines in the Mong Khark area of Mong Bawk Township, Eastern Shan State, which is under the control of the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

[...] heavy rains on July 27 caused flooding [...] submerging rice, corn, peanut, and soybean fields. When the water receded, a 60 cm-thick layer of sludge was left on the land, destroying the crops.

“[...] When it floods, it destroys farmland and leaves toxic sludge behind. The soil becomes unusable, and nothing can grow on it,” [...].

Farmers tried replanting crops in unaffected areas, but further floods on August 5 and 10 destroyed those as well.

[...] the extracted minerals are likely being exported to China.