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Mining industry

China's Rare Earth and Gold Mining Expansion in Myanmar's Shan State Poses Environmental and Health Risks

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Shan Human Rights Foundation has revealed through satellite imagery that China Investment Mining Company, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, is expanding rare earth and gold mining operations along the Kok River in Myanmar's Shan State. The mining operations pose significant environmental and health risks to communities on both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border, including over one million residents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and tens of millions more living downstream along the Mekong basin. The mining waste, containing heavy metals, is being discharged directly into the Kok River, and gold extraction is ongoing at multiple processing sites, releasing chemical residues into the river system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The China Investment Mining Company is expanding rare earth and gold mining operations along the Kok River in Myanmar's Shan State, with new road networks, mining sites, and processing ponds under construction.
  • The mining operations are using in-situ leaching, a method that involves injecting large quantities of chemicals into the ground, known to cause severe environmental damage.
  • Satellite images taken on October 14, 2025, show extensive changes in the area, including new mining sites, processing ponds, and buildings, indicating a marked increase in operations.
  • The expansion of these mining sites has raised serious concerns over toxic waste discharge into the Kok River, which could affect communities on both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border.
  • The river ultimately flows into the Mekong, posing potential risks to over one million residents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and tens of millions more living downstream along the Mekong basin.
  • Thai authorities have been monitoring Kok River water quality every two weeks since April 2025, with tests repeatedly showing arsenic and lead levels exceeding safety standards.
  • The operator of both the rare earth mines and the main gold mining operation along the Kok River is China Investment Mining Company, owned by Shanghai Chijin Xiawu Metal Resources Co. Ltd.

Statistics:

  • 30 kilometers: The distance from Thailand's border at Tha Ton district, Chiang Mai, to the river's source near Mong Yawn.
  • 90%: The ownership stake of Shanghai Chijin Xiawu Metal Resources Co. Ltd. in China Investment Mining Company.
  • 2022: The year in which Shanghai Chijin Xiawu Metal Resources Co. Ltd. was formed as a joint venture between China's state-backed Xiamen Tungsten Corporation and Chifeng Gold.
  • 2025: The year in which satellite images showed new mining sites, processing ponds, and buildings, indicating a marked increase in operations.
  • 1 million: The number of residents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai potentially affected by the toxic waste discharge into the Kok River.
  • 10s of millions: The number of residents living downstream along the Mekong basin who could be affected by the toxic waste discharge.

Sources:

  • "Shan Human Rights Foundation statement, October 28, 2025"
  • Satellite images taken on October 14, 2025
  • Inside sources
  • "Google Earth, April 2025"
  • Chifeng Gold's map

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