Mining Rare Earths Pollutes Mekong River Tributaries
Toxic runoff from rare earth mining operations in Myanmar is contaminating rivers flowing into Thailand. The pollution threatens fisheries and farmland within the Mekong River basin. Mining for rare earth minerals used in electronic products is causing environmental issues in Southeast Asia. Toxic wastewater is entering tributaries of the Mekong River, primarily in Myanmar and Laos. This pollution threatens populations reliant on the river for fishing, rice, and food exports. The mining activities are reportedly occurring without environmental oversight.
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Sources · 7 independent
Mastodon
“Toxic runoff from rare earth mines in Myanmar is contaminating rivers that flow into Thailand, threatening the Mekong River and its basin's fisheries and farmland.”
DLF Nova
“Für Elektroprodukte werden seltene Erden immer wichtiger. Das bringt Südostasien neue Umweltprobleme. Denn vor allem in Myanmar und Laos werden immer mehr der Mineralien abgebaut, allerdings ohne große Umweltaufsicht. Dadurch landen giftige Abwässer in den Nebenflüssen des Mekong.”
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