Key Takeaways:
- 1. Rare earth mining companies in Myanmar use hazardous chemicals and violate regulations on their import, transport, storage, use, and disposal.
- 2. Research indicates severe contamination of water and high concentrations of toxic elements near rare-earth mining sites in Kachin State.
- 3. Exposure to rare-earth elements can have adverse effects on human health, impacting various organ systems.
Research by Myanmar Resource Watch highlights the environmental and health risks associated with rare earth mining in Myanmar. Companies use hazardous chemicals and violate regulations, leading to severe water contamination and high levels of toxic elements in Kachin State. Exposure to rare-earth elements can harm human health. Scholars stress the need for better regulation and consideration of community well-being in critical mineral extraction.
Insight: The article emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations and a reevaluation of the extraction of critical minerals to ensure the safety and well-being of communities and the environment.
This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: Ars Technica.
Read the original article here: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/12/in-myanmar-illicit-rare-earth-mining-is-taking-a-heavy-toll/
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