"Rare Earth Mining Booms in Golden Triangle After Myanmar Coup: SHRF" Shan Herald Agency for News, 26 August 2025

Rare earth mining in Mong Yawng Township [...] has expanded from just three sites in 2021 to at least 19 today, according to a report released on August 25 by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF).The sites are located only about 40 kilometers from the Mekong River, raising concerns over environmental and cross-border impacts.

Although the operators have not been officially confirmed, SHRF believes the mines are functioning without formal permits.

[...] according to SHRF, Chinese-backed operations are shifting further into NDAA-controlled Mong Yawng and into areas controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in eastern Shan State.

[...] Wastewater from the ponds flows into nearby streams and eventually into the Lwe River, a tributary of the Mekong.

SHRF warned that the rapid, unregulated expansion poses serious environmental risks that could affect both Shan State communities and downstream populations across the Mekong basin.