Myanmar rare earth mines poison Irrawaddy River, advocate warns

Toxic waste from hundreds of rare earth mines in Myanmar's Kachin State is contaminating the Irrawaddy River, according to Zung Ting, a Kachin environmental advocate. He expressed strong concerns during a panel discussion at the 5th International Conference on Burma Studies in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Zung Ting stated that the mining region has seen little scientific study of water contamination. However, research compiled by the Stimson Center found highly acidic water and elevated concentrations of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead in samples collected along the Irrawaddy in Kachin State. These pollutants are linked to untreated mining wastewater and chemical leakage.

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I’m very sure our Irrawaddy River is really, really toxic already.

The Irrawaddy River originates in Kachin State and flows through the entire country. Mining operations in its headwaters could have severe consequences downstream. Zung Ting also noted a significant decline in fish populations in streams he knew as a child, suggesting a drastic reduction in aquatic diversity.

Rare earth mining has surged since Myanmar's February 2021 military coup, which weakened regulatory oversight and boosted mining activity, particularly involving Chinese operators. The Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar recorded 514 rare earth mining sites in Kachin State in 2023. Satellite analysis identified 451 rare earth mines in the Irrawaddy River Basin opened over the past decade, with 260 appearing after the 2021 coup. The common in-situ leaching method used in these operations involves clearing forests and injecting chemicals to dissolve minerals, leading to potential leakage into waterways.

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ultrahigh degree of contamination