Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening 'the world's kitchen'
- Posted on April 29, 2026
- By Business News Today
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- 1 min read
Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening 'the world's kitchen'
Toxic runoff from unregulated rare earth mines in Myanmar and Laos is contaminating the Mekong River and its tributaries, threatening the livelihoods of millions in Southeast Asia. This pollution endangers global food exports from Thailand, with local and regional solutions proving limited against the escalating mining boom driven by rising demand for critical minerals.
