KhmerTimes-June 21
Satellite imagery obtained by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) shows an eightfold increase in rare earth mining sites in the Mong Bawk area of northern Shan State, raising major environmental and geopolitical concerns.
Only three rare earth mines existed in the Mong Bawk region in 2015. By February 2025, SHRF reports that 26 sites now dot the hills south of the town, with some operations just 3–4 kilometres from populated areas. These mines operate under the control of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and reportedly employ the hazardous “in situ leaching” technique, involving chemical solutions to extract minerals directly from the earth, posing serious risks to local water sources. Mong Bawk’s Pai stream, which runs through agricultural areas and alongside the town, is believed to be contaminated, affecting thousands of residents. During September 2024 flooding triggered by Typhoon Yagi, runoff from mine sites inundated the town, with toxic floodwaters taking days to recede. SHRF notes that the mining activity straddles both the Salween and Mekong River basins, meaning water pollution spreads within Myanmar and Laos, but not into China. The mines do not appear in any official permit lists released by Myanmar’s military junta, suggesting they operate under a bilateral agreement between the UWSA and Chinese interests, bypassing national authorities. Mong Bawk, once a small farming village, has been transformed into a Special Development Zone by Chinese investment and was previously a hub for cyber scams before a 2023 crackdown. The SHRF urges international attention to the unregulated mining boom and its devastating human and environmental impact. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2025/06/21/23635
