Over the last few days, several updates have put Myanmar and the Terbium (Tb) and Dysprosium (Dy) supply chain back in the spotlight. Because Dy/Tb boost magnet strength at high temperature, they are essential for magnets used in EV drivetrains, wind turbines, and defense systems…
➡️ The Myanmar→Yunnan corridor is central in a tight Dy/Tb chain
• Heavy-REE-rich zones in Kachin (primary) and Shan (secondary)
• Areas where the junta, Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and militias compete for control
• >300 mining clusters and >2 000 extraction points
• Dy/Tb-rich leachate trucked to Yunnan, feeding separation hubs in Ganzhou, Baise, Longyan, Liangshan
• China controls ~90% of global RE separation and nearly all Dy/Tb
• 2023: China imported 41,700 tons of HREE from Myanmar, which is >2× its domestic quota
• Yunnan refineries rely on steady, low-cost, high-flow feed; even short disruptions affect magnet alloy producers
➡️ Last week brought new attention to Myanmar’s Dy/Tb chain
• Field reports show ammonium-rich leachate and heavy-metal runoff (As, Cd, Pb), with arsenic up to 5× above safe limits, plus abandoned pits and contaminated soils across Kachin/Shan. These upstream chemicals flow directly into local river systems
• In parallel, Washington moved on Myanmar: DHS confirmed that “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) for refugees will end in early 2026, and bipartisan lawmakers called for closer scrutiny of the upcoming elections. These steps are not rare-earth policies but place Myanmar back on the diplomatic radar while Western industries still depend indirectly on its Dy/Tb feedstock.
🇺🇸🇪🇺🇨🇦 Alternatives exist but remain far smaller in volume
• Energy Fuels Inc (Utah): Dy/Tb-bearing monazite carbonate
• Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (Alaska): heavy-REE separation
• urbanmining Co/Noveon Magnetics Inc. (Texas): magnet-to-magnet recycling
• REEtec (Norway): cleaner separation incl. heavy fraction
• LESS COMMON METALS LIMITED (UK): Dy/Tb alloys
• Geomega Resources Inc (GMA.V)/Cyclic Materials: Dy/Tb recovery from magnet scrap
Key sources: Discovery Alert | Eurasia Review | Rare Earth Exchange | Stimson | Yale E360 | Reuters
Map: Carbonexit Consulting
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