Big Take The Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth Supplies
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Oct 10, 2025 Timothy McLaughlin, a journalist with Bloomberg based in Singapore, dives into Myanmar's rare-earth mining landscape. He reveals how the Kachin Independence Army has taken control of most mines, complicating global supply chains. The discussion highlights China's reliance on these resources amid geopolitical tensions. Timothy also covers the environmental impacts of mining and explores potential future sources of rare earths as U.S.-China dynamics evolve. This complex scenario positions the KIA as a pivotal force in an increasingly contested market.
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Dystopian Mines In A Scenic Valley
- Timothy McLaughlin describes Penghua's mines as industrial and dystopian set in a beautiful landscape.
- He highlights piles, pools and pipes transforming hilltops into mining operations.
Myanmar's Strategic Rare-Earth Role
- Myanmar is the world’s third-largest rare-earth producer and a crucial supplier to China.
- In 2021 Myanmar supplied over half of China's rare-earth imports, making its mines geopolitically vital.
How Myanmar Extracts Rare Earths
- Myanmar uses in situ leaching: pipes drip chemicals into hillsides and collect rare-earth sludge in pools.
- The sludge is drained, baked in large furnaces, and processed into rare-earth oxides for export.