Big Take Asia The Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth Supplies
20 snips
Aug 19, 2025 Timothy McLaughlin, a journalist based in Singapore, dives into the complexities of Myanmar's rare-earth supply chain. He discusses how the Kachin Independence Organization has gained control of many mines, reshaping political dynamics in the region. The podcast highlights the geopolitical ramifications of this shift, particularly for China and global supply chains. McLaughlin also explores the environmental impacts of mining and the broader tensions between the U.S. and China regarding these crucial resources.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Myanmar's Strategic Rare-Earth Role
- Myanmar is the world's third-largest rare-earth producer and a crucial supplier to China.
- It supplied over half of China's rare-earth imports last year, making its stability geopolitically vital.
How Myanmar Mines Rare Earths
- Myanmar uses in-situ leaching with pipe lattices and collection pools to extract rare-earth sludge.
- The process yields rare-earth oxides after settling and baking, but causes major environmental harm.
China's Cleanup Shifted Mining To Myanmar
- China shut many domestic mines circa 2010 due to environmental damage, pushing mining across the border into Myanmar.
- Satellite imagery later revealed hundreds of new mining sites and road networks connecting mines to China.