Myanmar Rebels Control Heavy Rare-Earth Prize as DVB Warns India Against 'Mineral Imperialism'

Highlights

• Kachin State's ionic-adsorption deposits supply roughly half of global heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium
• The KIA captured major mining districts in 2024; India subsequently explored sourcing heavy rare earth samples through the rebel group
• DVB journalist warns India's mineral outreach risks 'resource imperialism,' but REEx notes the claim is normative, not an established fact
• China dominates downstream processing but does not fully control the Kachin ground supplying its most critical heavy rare earths
• Transparent Indian purchasing and non-Chinese separation capacity could turn Kachin into a strategic crack in China's rare earth fortress