MON SEP 20, 2021 / 11:30 AM EDT China's rare earth imports from Myanmar dry up after border closure (Reuters) - China's imports of rare earths from neighbouring Myanmar slowed to a trickle in August, Chinese customs data showed on Monday, as the closure of a key border crossing to contain the spread of the coronavirus impeded shipments. China is the world's dominant producer of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used in consumer electronics and military equipment, but relies on Myanmar for around 50% of its heavy rare earth feedstock. The disruption could have a knock-on effect on manufacturers of rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines and has already pushed up prices for key magnet inputs such as terbium and dysprosium. Imports of rare earth compounds from Myanmar, which go to China for processing into material that can be used by manufacturers, were just 23 tonnes last month, data released by China's General Administration of Customs showed. That was down 91.8% from 270 tonnes in July, which was itself down 79% from June.
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