Mobile phones, which have become a need for modern life, have become strategic resources for the whole world today. However, mining of these metals is proving extremely expensive, difficult and disastrous for the environment. Apart from this, China’s monopoly on refining of these metals also makes it a matter of global politics and environmental concern.
Let us tell you that in the last few years, Myanmar, the struggling country of South-East Asia, has emerged as a major source of these rare metals. The civil war and military dictatorship in this country, bordering China for decades, has almost abolished labor and environmental laws. Taking advantage of this, Chinese companies are extracting rare metals worth billions of dollars in Myanmar and sending them to China. The engaging, Kachin and Shaan states, which fall into the northern parts adjacent to China in Myanmar, are considered the largest reserves of rare metals. This is the same area where there is neither fear of law, neither the environment nor the protection of human rights. China has taken full advantage of this situation. Chinese government companies and illegal networks through them remain in direct contact with rebel groups. In return, these groups allow mineral excavation and smuggling. In this way, China is acquiring raw materials at a cheap price without any restriction. Mining of rare metals requires state -of -the -art chemicals and technology. China sends leaching technology (extracting minerals through acid) and chemicals to Myanmar. Local groups extract raw minerals using them, which are sent directly to China via trucks. After this, China purifies these metals in its country and sells at expensive prices in the global market.
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Let us tell you that China is the biggest partner of Myanmar’s tight economy. When the whole world banned military rule, China continued trade. Taking advantage of this situation, China is controlling both Myanmar’s economy and administration by creating economic pressure.
Let us tell you that the northern states of Myanmar, Kachin and Shaan (where China borders), have become the center of metals such as rare metals, especially turbium and dysproosium. For mining, the entire mountains have to be uprooted and the minerals have to be extracted by adding acid to them, causing both the land and water to be poisonous. Thousands of acres of barren land and poisonous soil in Kachin state are proof of this. Now this crisis is spread over the state of Shan, where China is occupied by a supported or ethnic group.
Let us tell you that the poisonous waste released during mining has now spread through Myanmar to Thailand. Especially in the Mecong River and its tributaries, poison is dissolving, causing the biodiversity of the region and the health of crores of people. Recently, after exposure to the river in the villages of Thailand, people have been found to have a dangerous amount of skin diseases, unnatural spots in fish and heavy metals in water.
Let us remind you that in 2021, Myanmar’s army, crushing the possibilities of democracy, once again took power. Western countries then imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar, but China continued to trade with the army. Apart from this, not only Myanmar’s army, but also anti -military groups and ethnic militia are filling their pockets with this illegal mining and business. Chinese companies and criminal networks are included not only in rare metals, but also in gold, wood and online fraud. A large network of illegal economy has developed in this chaos.
In addition, the Coke River, which flows through the areas of Myanmar, is now mixing poisonous waste in the Mecong River in Thailand. Already, it is another major threat to the Mecong River, which is struggling with climate change, dams and forest harvesting, which has livelihood and health of millions of people.
However, due to the unstable situation of Myanmar and the economic interests of China, the entire region is moving towards the environmental crisis. The disastrous mining that is taking place to meet the global demand of rare metals is now being felt beyond the boundaries. If it is not stopped soon, this crisis can become an extraordinary environment and human disaster for the whole of South-East Asia. If seen, the rare metals of Myanmar have not just an economic resource, but have become the center of future global politics and environmental balance. If the world has to avoid the upcoming crisis, then under joint efforts, concrete steps will have to be taken towards transparency, stability and environmental protection in Myanmar.
-Niraj Kumar Dubey