China increased its imports of rare minerals from Myanmar by 70% in the first half of 2023, according to Chinese customs data.
NEW DELHI: China is reportedly stockpiling rare minerals from Myanmar and the country will soon become a major supplier of these minerals. China increased its imports of rare minerals from Myanmar by 70% in the first half of 2023, according to Chinese customs data. This strategy could allow China to control the supply chain of rare minerals in the future.
Chinese mining companies are expanding their operations in Myanmar’s Kachin region, which is rich in rare minerals. Mining activity is particularly concentrated around the towns of Panwa and Chipwe, near Yunnan province in southwestern China.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, of the world’s total production of rare minerals in 2023, Myanmar will account for 11%, China 68% and the United States 12%. Rare minerals such as dysprosium and terbium used in electric cars are mainly produced in Myanmar and China. However, Myanmar does not have the capacity to refine these minerals.
China’s mineral imports:
The Xi Jinping administration imports rare mineral raw materials from Myanmar and refines them domestically, controlling the supply of these important resources. This strategy will give China a strong position in the international market, as demand for rare minerals in electric vehicles, electronics, and defense industries is increasing globally.
China’s terrible deeds
According to a report in the Irrawaddy, a major Myanmar media outlet, “Myanmar’s transformation into a warehouse for China’s rare minerals is rapid and devastating. The Kachin region, once famous for its dense forests and rich biodiversity, It now looks like a barren lunar landscape filled with mines.”This mining has caused severe environmental damage and negatively affected the livelihoods of local communities.
