China-backed militia secures control of new rare earth mines in Myanmar

Beijing’s access to key minerals like dysprosium and terbium has been curbed after an armed group seized a major mining area in northern Myanmar from the junta, which China backs.

A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the matter, as Beijing moves to secure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington.