Rare Earth Mining in Myanmar Leads to Severe Environmental Crisis

In Myanmar, a rush for rare earth metals is causing a regional environmental disaster. The Wat Tha Ton Temple in Thailand overlooks the Kok River valley, which has been affected by pollution from a mine in Myanmar. The river's water quality deteriorated, with high arsenic levels and other hazardous metals detected. This pollution is attributed to unregulated mining in Myanmar, impacting rivers like Kok and Sai, which flow into the Mekong. The situation is worsened by the civil war in Myanmar.

China's demand for rare earth minerals has led to a surge in mining activities in Myanmar, controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). The UWSA's autonomy and lack of governance have allowed environmental damage to escalate. The export of rare earth products to China has grown, with China importing a significant portion of its rare earths from Myanmar.

Activists express concerns over the environmental and health risks posed by the pollution. Efforts are being made to address the issue, with calls for China to intervene and regulate mining activities in Myanmar. The need for sustainable practices and cooperation among neighboring countries is emphasized to mitigate the environmental impact.

According to the source: NPR.