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The rare-earth elements (REE), ... 2,700 mining collection pools scattered across 300 separate locations were found in Kachin State, ...
The economy of Kachin State is predominantly agricultural. The main products include rice, teak, sugarcane, opium. Mineral products include gold, jade, and rare-earth elements. [citation needed] Hpakant is well known for its jade mines. [17] Bhamo is one of the border trading points between China and Myanmar. [18]
Illegal rare earth mining has surged in NDA-K held areas bordering China following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. [17] [18] In April 2021, 100 rare earth mines were found in the area controlled by the militia. [19] As the Chinese government cracked down on domestic rare earth mining, it has outsourced the destructive mining to Kachin State. [20]
Most rare earth elements are located in China, with the world’s second-largest economy estimated to account for 70% of global rare earth ore extraction and 90% of rare earth ore processing.
The extraction of natural minerals, including gold, lithium, and jade, has been associated with adverse environmental impacts. [16] These mining activities give rise to various hazards — prominently among them being land subsidence and landslides, as observed in the Hpakant Jade mines, notably in August 2023, and in prior occurrences during 2020 and 2021.
Rare-earth elements are also a significant export, as Myanmar supplies around 10% of the world's rare earths. [296] Conflict in Kachin State has threatened the operations of its mines as of February 2021. [297] [298] Other industries include agricultural goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials, gems, metals, oil and natural gas.
There are 17 rare earth metals, and their production is a complex multi-stage process. Exports may be in the form of ores or goods at any stage including mined rare earth ores (all containing a tiny mix of rare earths), refined ore concentrates, refined highly pure metals, or products incorporating refined metals (car li-on batteries, magnets or magnet incorporating windmill generators).
A powerful ethnic minority armed group battling Myanmar's army in the country's west claimed Monday to have taken hundreds of government soldiers prisoner when it captured a major command post.