Toxic Rare Earth Mining on Upstream Mekong Tributaries in MyanmarTime series of rare earth mines in the Mekong Basin (Myanmar and Laos) from 2015-2025. Unregulated rare earth mining started in Myanmar’s portion of the Mekong Basin and then expanded into Laos. The sticky quality of the mud is now attributed by locals to be from rare earth mining runoff and toxic pollutants. Last year RFA reported on pollution cases related to two rare earth mines in Laos, and our own investigative work has found 15 rare earth mines on Mekong tributaries in Laos (three on the Nam Khan and 12 on the Nam Ngiep). In the coming weeks, we plan to publish research that further explores the impacts of rare earth mining pollution on communities, chronicles and assesses the Thai government response to date, analyzes the rare earth mining supply chain, and provides more insight on the regional scale and transboundary implications of the mining.