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Wind Power News: Myanmar
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
‘The Sacrifice Zone’: Myanmar bears cost of green energy
The birds no longer sing, and the herbs no longer grow. The fish no longer swim in rivers that have turned a murky brown. The animals do not roam, and the cows are sometimes found dead. The people in this northern Myanmar forest have lost a way of life that goes back generations. But if they complain, they, too, face the threat of death. This forest is the source of several key metallic elements known as rare earths, often called . . . Complete story »
Illegal rare earth mining harms environment in Myanmar’s Kachin state
Unregulated mining of rare earth minerals in Myanmar’s Kachin state for export to nearby China is irreparably damaging the environment, local watchdogs in the northern state told RFA. Myanmar exported more than 140,000 tons of rare earth deposits to China, worth more than U.S. $1 billion between May 2017 and October 2021, a statement from China’s State Taxation Administration said. Since Myanmar’s military wrested control of the country from Myanmar’s democratically elected government more than a year ago, exports to . . . Complete story »
New evidence shows massive and rapid expansion of illicit rare earths industry in Myanmar, fuelling human rights abuses, environmental destruction and funding military-linked militias
New satellite analysis from Global Witness reveals over 2,700 rare earth mining sites in northern Myanmar by March 2022, covering an area the size of Singapore. Myanmar now world’s biggest source of supply of heavy rare earths, used in green energy technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as smartphones and home electronics. Illegal rare earth mines in northern Myanmar poisoning surrounding land and waterways, harming local communities, wildlife and environment. Mines are funding military-linked militias that control . . . Complete story »
