Overview

• India’s Ministry of Mines told state and private firms in July to explore collecting and transporting samples from Kachin Independence Army–controlled mines in northeastern Myanmar.
• A KIA official said the group has begun gathering samples for India’s analysis and will evaluate whether bulk exports to India are feasible.
• State-owned IREL and private firm Midwest Advanced Materials participated in the discussions, with Midwest previously funded to scale rare-earth magnet manufacturing.
• New Delhi aims to test the material in domestic labs and is seeking technology partnerships to build high-purity processing and magnet-making capacity.
• No commercial deal has been announced, officials and companies declined comment, and logistical challenges and Myanmar’s conflict complicate any potential supply route.