Homepage US

Global demand for rare earth elements fuels environmental destruction in Kachin State

In the remote mountains of Kachin State, rare earth elements used in everything from wind turbine generators to television screens are being mined illegally with seemingly toxic chemicals.

BY Ronja Pilgaard, Jauman Naw & Emily Fishbein

News Feed, News, Business, Features

Global demand for rare earth elements fuels environmental destruction in Kachin State

In the remote mountains of Kachin State, rare earth elements used in everything from wind turbine generators to television screens are being mined illegally with seemingly toxic chemicals.

BY Ronja Pilgaard, Jauman Naw & Emily Fishbein

News Feed, News, Business, Features

‘Weapons, power and money’: How rare earth mining in Kachin enriches a Tatmadaw ally

The leader of a Tatmadaw-controlled Border Guard Force in a remote region of Kachin State has emerged as a key player in the global rare earth trade, and has turned the territory under his de facto control into a mining hub at a high environmental cost.

BY Emily Fishbein, Ronja Pilgaard & Jauman Naw

News Feed, News, Features

‘We can’t help patients who are in need’: Deaths continue as regime tightens grip on oxygen

New restrictions on the sale and distribution of oxygen to the public have made it harder to treat COVID-19 patients at home and social welfare groups have warned the rules could result in more preventable deaths.

BY Frontier

Highlights

News Feed, News

Vitriol in cyberspace for celebrities who stayed silent

Members Only

Ko Kaung Htet, right, on a reporting trip with the Restoration Council of Shan State in 2016. (Sai Zaw Theik)

Missing in action: Stories of conflict

News, Affairs, Interview, Election 2015

The watchman

Why was PACE formed?

BY Alex Bookbinder

Business

Samsung Asia's Irene Ng: 'Myanmar is one of our fastest growing markets'

Multinational giant Samsung is South Korea’s largest chaebol, or industrial conglomerate, and its dozens of subsidiaries include Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s biggest information technology companies. The group’s other activities range from shipbuilding and construction to entertainment and healthcare. Samsung has been consolidating its presence in Myanmar since the change of government in 2011. Frontier spoke to Irene Ng, Samsung Asia vice president for marketing, about the company’s plans for Myanmar.

BY Frontier

Photo Essays, Features, Culture

Ah Moon: Pushing the boundaries

Rising star Ah Moon shocks conservative Myanmar with her provocative, often sexy style. She hopes her new album will propel her to international stardom.

BY Hans Hulst

Affairs, Election 2015

The Lady’s legal challenge

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi issued a legal challenge to critics after being peppered with questions about race and religion during her campaign trip to Rakhine State.

BY Frontier

Photo Essays, Affairs

Down Syndrome: Dedicated mothers make a difference

A group of dedicated mothers has formed an association that aims to improve the quality of life of those with Down Syndrome and provide a supportive network for their careers.

BY Ann Wang

Business

Samsung Asia’s Irene Ng: ‘Myanmar is one of our fastest growing markets’

Samsung has been consolidating its presence in Myanmar since the change of government in 2011. Frontier spoke to Samsung Asia's Irene Ng about the company’s plans for the local market.

BY Frontier

Photo Essays, Features

Letpadaung: The struggle continues

The controversial Letpadaung copper mine near Monywa in Sagaing Region has turned dispossessed farmers into activists who are determined to keep fighting for their rights.

BY Lauren DeCicca & Jared Downing

Affairs, Election 2015

Myanmar’s digital election

A liberalization of Myanmar’s telecommunications sector has contributed to the arrival of new applications aimed at keeping voters informed in November’s election.

BY Kyaw Phone Kyaw & Mratt Kyaw Thu

Affairs, Election 2015

The Lady's legal challenge

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi issues a legal challenge to critics after being peppered with questions about race and religion during her campaign trip to Rakhine State.

BY Mratt Kyaw Thu

Opinion

News Feed, Education, Opinion

The emerging alternatives to ‘military slave education’

News Feed, News, Features, Opinion

Tiananmen and the Tatmadaw: Killing their own people

Opinion

The NUG must commit to human rights for all Myanmar’s people

Business, Opinion

A crisis of confidence looms over Myanmar’s banks

Doh Athan

Podcast: COVID crisis in Kalay

Doh Athan

Video: Below the poverty line

Doh Athan

Podcast: Locals battle military for land compensation in Mon State

Doh Athan

Podcast: Water shortages hit Magway villages

Doh Athan

Podcast: COVID crisis in Kalay

Doh Athan

Video: Below the poverty line

Doh Athan

Podcast: Locals battle military for land compensation in Mon State

Doh Athan

Podcast: Water shortages hit Magway villages

Latest Issue

Volume 6, Issue 18

January 27, 2021

Stories in this issue

Editorial, Opinion

Myanmar enters 2021 with more friends than foes

The early delivery of vaccines is one of the many boons of the country’s geopolitics, but to really take advantage, Myanmar must bury the legacy of its isolationist past.

News Feed, News

Will the Kayin BGF go quietly?

The Kayin State Border Guard Force has come under intense pressure from the Tatmadaw over its extensive, controversial business interests and there’s concern the ultimatum could trigger fresh hostilities in one of the country’s most war-torn areas.

VIEW ALL ISSUES

Highlights

Members Only

Consider being a Frontier Member.

Opinion

Doh Athan

Doh Athan

Latest Issue

Myanmar enters 2021 with more friends than foes

Will the Kayin BGF go quietly?

BE A FRONTIER MEMBER

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PRINT + DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Join the community