Heavy Metal Pollution from Rare Earth Mining in the Mekong River Puts Southeast Asia’s Food Security at Risk

Thai media have published an on-the-ground investigation revealing that unregulated rare earth mining is continuing to expand in the upper reaches of the Mekong River, particularly in Myanmar and Laos. Wastewater from mining operations—containing heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium—is discharged directly into mountain tributaries and ultimately flows into the Mekong River system, posing a serious threat to local ecosystems.