| HEADLINE |
|
US eyes Myanmar's rare earth minerals to reduce reliance on China
Published : Tuesday, 10 November, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Observer Online Report
The use of rare earth minerals is growing across various sectors, from electric vehicles to advanced technology products. China dominates the global market for these minerals, prompting the United States to seek alternative sources, including Myanmar, to reduce its dependence on Beijing.
Meanwhile, Myanmar's military government is urging Washington to invest in its mining sector, hoping to capitalise on the growing US interest. Reuters reported the developments on Tuesday (November 10).
According to the report, the US State Department unveiled a strategic plan last week to expand Washington's influence in Myanmar and create opportunities to access the country's rare earth mineral reserves.
Washington has also held confidential discussions with Myanmar officials over the past several months.
Meanwhile, Washington-based lobbying firm DCI Group urged the United States to prioritise Myanmar's mining sector in a newsletter published on Monday on behalf of Myanmar's Ministry of Information.
The firm said Myanmar's mineral resources hold significant economic potential for the country and are also important to US national security and supply chains.
A US State Department spokesperson told Reuters that Washington wants to see progress on key issues, including improving the business environment for American companies in Myanmar and advancing a genuine peace process in the country.
Myanmar, which has been embroiled in civil war since the 2021 military coup, is one of the world's major sources of heavy rare earth minerals. Most of these minerals are shipped to China, where they are processed into materials used to manufacture magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other advanced technologies.
China produces nearly 90 per cent of the world's rare earth-based magnets, with some of the raw materials sourced from Myanmar. However, Beijing has recently tightened government control over the rare earth sector.
Meanwhile, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which has been fighting Myanmar's military for years, controls the country's major rare earth mining sites in northern Kachin State. Beijing supports the armed group.
Under the US strategic plan, American companies are expected to secure at least three major commercial or investment agreements worth more than US$5 million each in Myanmar.
However, Myanmar's military government is expecting significantly larger investments. According to DCI Group, the investment target is relatively modest compared with Myanmar's vast mineral resources and Washington's ambition to compete with China in the rare earth market.
- MaT
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
