Mining operations in Myanmar for rare earth elements, despite being budget-friendly, infiltrate Thailand's borders, leading to environmental pollution.
In the northern regions of Myanmar, the mining of rare earth elements has become a significant concern, with severe environmental and health impacts being felt not only in Myanmar but also in neighbouring Thailand.
### Environmental Concerns
The mining activities in Shan and Kachin states have led to substantial deforestation and habitat loss, as forests are cleared and access roads built without proper environmental assessments. This destruction of natural habitats has resulted in a decline in biodiversity in these richly diverse areas [1].
The extraction process, which involves injecting toxic chemicals such as ammonium sulfate and oxalic acid into the soil, contaminates both the soil and surface water. Toxic waste from these operations then flows into local rivers, including the Kok, Sai, Salween, Luay, and eventually the Mekong River basin, posing a significant threat to the region's ecosystems [1][2][3].
The pollution has also crossed borders, seriously impacting the water quality downstream in Thailand. Rivers used for irrigation, fishing, and cultural activities in Thailand have become unsafe, with arsenic and other heavy metals found at concentrations exceeding WHO safety limits [2][3].
Events like Typhoon Yagi in 2024 worsened the pollution by causing runoff from mining areas to flood residential zones and disperse toxic chemicals further downstream [3].
### Health Risks for Local Communities
Local residents in Myanmar and Thailand face direct health impacts from exposure to contaminated water and soil. The contamination affects drinking water, agriculture, and fishing, which are critical for local livelihoods and food security [2][3].
The mining expansion also displaces indigenous communities, such as the Lahu and Shan ethnic groups, contributing to social instability. The involvement of armed groups and illicit operations further exacerbates conflict and undermines peace efforts [1][3][4].
### Regional Impact
The environmental and health problems caused by the unregulated mining have raised alarm in Thailand, where downstream communities are facing a toxic pollution crisis. The contamination threatens agriculture, drinking water, fisheries, and ultimately, regional food security and human health [2][3].
The lack of regulation and oversight allows ongoing damage and complicates efforts to mitigate these effects, prompting calls for urgent international investigation and suspension of mining operations [1][3].
### Calls for Action
Pianporn Deetes, Director of Southeast Asia Campaigns at International Rivers, criticized the Thai government's response to the cross-border pollution crisis as "slow" and urged them to halt mining activities. Pianporn also called for the Thai government to urgently negotiate with Myanmar and China to halt mining activities, using various measures including economic, diplomatic, and food-related pressures [4].
Local residents in Chiang Rai, Thailand, are facing risks to their lives and health due to the contaminated Kok River, and they can no longer engage in traditional activities like fishing or operating tour boats [4]. Farmers are worried that rice grown using water from the Kok River may be contaminated with arsenic.
Sources: [1] Earthworks. (2023). Rare Earth Mining in Myanmar: A Human Rights and Environmental Crisis. [2] International Rivers. (2024). The Toxic Legacy of Rare Earth Mining in Myanmar. [3] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Myanmar's Rare Earth Mining Boom: A Human Rights and Environmental Crisis. [4] The Nation. (2026). Calls for Urgent Action on Cross-Border Pollution from Myanmar's Rare Earth Mining.
- The concern over rare earth element mining in Myanmar has extended beyond its borders, with neighboring countries like Thailand experiencing health and environmental impacts due to pollution.
- The deforestation and habitat loss caused by mining activities in Shan and Kachin states also negatively impact the region's biodiversity, according to environmental science reports.
- Besides impacting local communities in Myanmar, pollution from these mining operations has contaminated rivers, threatening the ecosystems and water quality in downstream regions like Thailand.
- The unregulated mining industry poses a significant risk to regional business sectors, such as tourism and real estate, as it contaminates critical resources like water and soil.
- The international community, including organizations focusing on environmental science and finance, has expressed concern over the lack of regulation and oversight in the mining sector, calling for urgent action and potential suspension of mining operations.
- The contamination of the Kok River in Thailand, for instance, has led to health risks for local residents, preventing them from engaging in traditional activities like fishing and operating tour boats.
- The threat of arsenic and other heavy metals in contaminated water sources undermines food security, not just in Myanmar but also in neighboring countries like Thailand, where agriculture and fishing industries are now at risk.
- To mitigate these issues, there has been a call for international collaboration between countries, involving diplomatic, economic, and food-related pressures, to halt ongoing mining activities and protect the health and environment of the affected regions.
