Rare earth mining boom in Laos threatens Mekong river system

Satellite imagery reveals that since 2022, at least 27 new rare earth mining sites have been established across river basins in Laos—despite national bans on rare earth extraction—raising concerns about chemical contamination flowing into the Mekong River and downstream countries. 

Of these new mines, 15 are located within the Mekong River Basin, including 12 on the Nam Khan River and three on the Nam Ngiep River. These rivers are tributaries of the Mekong and traverse sensitive ecological zones relied upon by more than 50 million people. 

Twenty-three of the 27 mines appear to be sited within protected areas, though definite authorization from national authorities appears unclear. Many operations are reportedly supported by Chinese investment and use local-level permissions, circumventing formal bans. 

Earlier incidents, such as chemical spills in northeastern Laos in 2024, have been attributed to rare earth mining and resulted in fish kills and elevated acidity and cyanide levels in rivers serving some 36 villages. 

Industry experts warn that rare earth extraction is particularly chemically intensive, often generating large volumes of toxic waste water; when such runoff enters tributaries feeding the Mekong, the potential exists for heavy-metal contamination, ecosystem disruption and harm to livelihoods in multiple countries. 

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has indicated that although it provides data-sharing and technical support to member states, it does not independently monitor mining-linked contamination, making comprehensive basin-wide assessments difficult. 

The Lao government’s strategy to expand rare earth exports is seen as part of efforts to boost resource revenues, yet the rapid proliferation of mines and limited oversight pose significant governance, environmental and cross-border risk challenges.