Key Discussion and Take-Aways

🔒 China is withholding key heavy REEs
Mahnaz stated that, according to the most recent trade data available, China appears to have resumed exports of REE magnets although continues to withhold multiple heavy REEs under its export-control regime. Silverado will be tracking the trade data in real time to see how these trends may or may not change following the US China truce last month.

Silverado’s dashboard tracks these trendlines: Critical Minerals Dashboard

🛰️ China’s “Mekong Mineral Corridor.”
Mahnaz detailed China’s growing dominance over heavy REEs across the Mekong Mineral Corridor, which spans southern China, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Myanmar remains central, home to some of the world’s largest heavy-REE deposits including yttrium and terbium.

Recent USGS satellite imagery shows rapid mine expansion in Myanmar, and early reporting suggests illegal mining may now be spreading into Laos (see report). Mahnaz urged Congress to investigate China’s Mekong strategy and highlighted the need for stronger satellite-based monitoring to track true heavy-REE mining activity and trade flows.

She also noted that President Trump’s newly signed minerals MOUs with Thailand and Cambodia aim to strengthen the U.S. position along the Mekong, with the Thailand MOU providing the “first opportunity to invest” as a direct counterweight to China’s influence.

🌐 China is increasingly eyeing heavy rare earth deposits in Africa
Khan emphasized the urgent need for a coherent U.S.–Africa minerals strategy focused on securing heavy-REE feedstock. She pointed to promising deposits in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, and warned that China is already eyeing to acquire these heavy REEs, mirroring its approach in the Mekong region