Abstract:
Rare earths are known as the “lifeblood of high-tech” and are widely used in many industries such as high-end equipment, aerospace, electronic information, new energy, and new-energy vehicles, playing a supporting role in technological innovation and industrial development, and have become an important arena for competition among economies such as China, European Union, the United States, Japan. Ensuring a stable and reliable supply of rare earth resources is of strategic significance for consolidating and enhancing China’s dominant position in the global rare earth industry system and maintaining the safety of related industries. Firstly, combines the geological background of mineral formation and regional resource distribution to assess the resource potential of ion-adsorption type rare earths in Myanmar. Myanmar is dominated by ion-adsorption medium-heavy rare earths, with outputs in a vast area from the northern part (Wa State and Kachin State) to the southern part (Thaninthary and Mergui), indicating tremendous resource potential. Secondly, analyzes the current development status of the rare earth industry in Myanmar from aspects such as rare earth production, Sino-Myanmar rare earth trade situation, market players, and mining investment environment. In recent years, Myanmar has rapidly emerged as the third-largest rare earth producer in the world and is also an important pillar of China’s medium-heavy rare earth resources security. Sino-Myanmar rare earth trade has formed a “three-horse carriage” product structure, with Chinese companies playing the main role in Myanmar’s rare earth development. However, there is still significant room for improvement in infrastructure levels, and mining investment policies are trending towards comprehensive tightening. Finally, proposes development suggestions for further strengthening rare earth resources guarantee from perspectives such as cooperation development, self-assurance, regional expansion, and renewable resource development.