Myanmar Unearthed: The Dark Side of the Global Energy Transition

This project investigates the environmental, social, and economic injustices underpinning the global transition away from fossil fuels, through the lens of rare earth mining in Myanmar.

Over the past decade, Myanmar has become the world’s largest supplier of heavy rare earth elements used in the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other advanced technologies. Myanmar’s rare earth mining boom reflects not only rising global demand but also shifting dynamics in China, which dominates global heavy rare earth processing but has increasingly restricted domestic mining amid environmental concerns.

Many Chinese operators shifted to Myanmar, where mining regulations were weak even before the 2021 military coup, and a resource grab has ensued since. Typically, these operators partner with local businesspeople and armed groups to mine rare earth in remote regions on Myanmar’s eastern border with China. Today, satellite imagery shows thousands of chemical leaching pools characteristic of the industry along this border. Chinese customs data, meanwhile, indicates that more than half of the global heavy rare earth supply now originates in Myanmar.

While Myanmar’s rare earth mining industry is highly lucrative for those with power and influence, it lacks regulatory safeguards, leaving communities, workers, and the environment vulnerable. The industry also lacks transparency, making it difficult to hold those responsible for the mining’s harmful consequences to account.

This project explores the past, present, and future of rare earth mining in Myanmar. It seeks to uncover the business networks behind the industry, analyze global supply chains, explore conflict dynamics in mining areas, and reveal the environmental, health, and safety impacts.