Myanmar is at the heart of the geopolitical race for rare earths, with devastating consequences for a country already torn apart by war. For this report, our authors draw upon local research and spoke to people in Kachin State.

India has the world’s third-largest reserves of rare earth elements, but extraction is limited mainly due to technology gaps. To secure a supply that is protected against geopolitical shocks, the country is looking to e-waste recycling.

The Burundian government has shown courage by temporarily suspending the operations of international mining companies in order to demand fairer terms. Yet bold gestures alone do not guarantee prosperity.