Myanmar: Key Role & Latest Updates
- China, the world's leading producer of rare earths, has become increasingly dependent on imports from Myanmar, a smaller, conflict-ridden nation.
- in 2023, Myanmar accounted for approximately 57% of China's total rare earth imports, according to Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for...
- Baskaran stated that myanmar's production has considerably reinforced china's dominant position,essentially granting Beijing a de facto monopoly over the global heavy rare earths supply chain,thereby increasing its leverage.
China’s reliance on Myanmar for rare earth elements is rapidly escalating, fundamentally changing global market dynamics. This critical shift, where Myanmar supplies a significant portion of China’s heavy rare earth imports, fuels high-tech industries but also raises crucial questions around environmental sustainability and supply chain stability. this in-depth analysis from News Directory 3 explores the increasing role that Myanmar plays, examining the economic and political factors driving this trend, and highlights the potential risks associated with dependence on a single source.Discover what’s next in this evolving narrative.
Myanmar’s Role Grows in China’s Rare Earth Supply chain
Updated june 24, 2025
China, the world’s leading producer of rare earths, has become increasingly dependent on imports from Myanmar, a smaller, conflict-ridden nation. This reliance exposes industries to supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly as Beijing tightens its own export controls on rare earth elements.
in 2023, Myanmar accounted for approximately 57% of China’s total rare earth imports, according to Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International studies. Chinese customs data indicates that Myanmar’s rare earth exports to China surged starting in 2018, peaking at nearly 42,000 metric tons in 2023. these imports are rich in heavy rare earth elements, which are less common and more valuable.
Baskaran stated that myanmar’s production has considerably reinforced china’s dominant position,essentially granting Beijing a de facto monopoly over the global heavy rare earths supply chain,thereby increasing its leverage.
Myanmar is a crucial source of dysprosium and terbium, two highly sought-after heavy rare earths essential for manufacturing in defense, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. “This dynamic has given rise to a supply chain in which extraction is concentrated in Myanmar, while downstream processing and value addition are predominantly carried out in China,” Baskaran said.
Environmental Concerns Drive Shift
Myanmar’s deposits contain higher concentrations of heavy rare earths. These “ionic adsorption clay” (IAC) deposits are mined using leaching methods involving chemical reagents, which carry significant environmental consequences. David Merriman, research director at Project Blue, noted that most IAC operations were in Southern China in the early to mid-2010s. Though, as Beijing implemented stricter environmental regulations, many of these projects