Without rare earths, there would be no electric cars, wind turbines or energy storage systems. The problem: their extraction seriously pollutes the environment. SRF report to Jiangxi, in southeast China, one of the most important mining regions in the world.
“I only need to clean the floor, not for cooking or drinking.” This is what an elderly merchant in Jiangxi’s province, in southeast of China, reveals on the water of its well in its well.
![The clay of the Jiangxi region has a particularly high content of so -called heavy earths, which are currently in great demand worldwide. [SRF]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== "The clay of the Jiangxi region has a particularly high content of so -called heavy earths, which are currently in great demand worldwide. [SRF]")
To SRF journalists in reporting on the spot, the old lady shows a puddle of brownish water, covered with oily film, which gives off a foul odor. The liquid rejectant spans the source of water which irrigates its well. “The groundwater is contaminated throughout the region,” she said. Meanwhile, trucks loaded with freshly extracted rare land pass in front of the house at full speed.
The extraction is made by pouring toxic alcalis into the soil in order to take the precious elements of the clay. In Jiangxi, one of the most important mining regions in the world, this practice has lasted for decades in illegal mines.
For too long, Chinese authorities and consumers, including West, have ignored the fate of these toxic liquids after mining. Consequences: groundwater is poisoned, deadly water bodies and eroded soils.
Strategic national industry, therefore sensitive
As the state -controlled mine approaches, SRF journalists are not welcome. They are forced to turn around in front of a pick-up that bars their passage. And the vehicle follows them until the district exits.
But rare earths are also exploited in the neighboring district. Security is less strict. The reporters team is authorized to visit a mine. On the scene, the rare earths are also extracted from the ground using Alcalis.
Today, mining is now ensured by large public companies, and more really in small private illegal mines. This measure aims to prevent any additional pollution. China would also have developed new more environmentally friendly mining methods.
An environmental awareness?
Mr. Zhen lives not far from the last mine visited by SRF journalists. He testifies that the river behind his house had been dead for a long time. Nowadays, fish would gradually come back, thanks to an “environmental awareness” of the authorities.
The state would also invest billions to repair the environmental damage of the Jiangxi. “They even hired women in the village to replant the old mines,” said the man.
At the same time, thousands of people who have lost their jobs in illegal mines went to Myanmar and Laos to extract rare land. Statistics also show that China is more and more materials extracted from Myanmar and then separates the rare earths, once imported.
The problem of Chinese exports
China has played a central role in the extraction of rare earths in Myanmar, says Thomas Krümmer, expert in the consulting firm Ginger, based in Singapore. He consulted satellite images of the exploitation and believes that the same methods harmful to the environment are used as in the past in Jiangxi. Information confirmed by the NGO Global Witness in A report in 2024.
The environmental pollution caused by the extraction of rare earths has not been eliminated, but rather moved. Chinese regulations do not apply in Southeast Asia, and the populations of the Western world still do not seem to want to know precisely under what conditions are extracted the essential raw materials for the energy transition.
Original article: Samuel Emch (SRF), in collaboration with the German newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” and the French newspaper “Le Monde”
French adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTS)
