Push for green energy ravaging Myanmar’s northern reaches as rare earth mining takes a toll

Rare earth mining in northern Myanmar is reportedly destroying the region’s environment and wildlife. Demand for the minerals, used to make a range of products from mobile phones and cars to wind turbines, has been soaring as countries push to expand green energy. But a rush to tap Myanmar’s rich deposits is now taking a toll, since the chemical processes used to extract rare earth metals often contaminates air, water and soil in mining areas.