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Mengkang rare earth project in Laos paused amid policy changes
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China's only rare earth venture in Laos hits pause as regulatory shifts expose Beijing's uncomfortable dependence on Southeast Asian imports.
Key facts
- The pair acquired a 90% stake in the project for roughly $19 million back in March 2024
- That output generated a net loss of approximately 54 million yuan for Chifeng Gold, representing about 1.75% of Chifeng Gold’s consolidated net profit
- A joint venture between two of China’s mining heavyweights has pulled the plug on its rare earth project in Laos, effective August 8, 2026
- First-quarter 2026 output plummeted to 63.6 metric tons, a fraction of what the project had managed in the prior year
Summary
A joint venture between two of China’s mining heavyweights has pulled the plug on its rare earth project in Laos, effective August 8, 2026. The Mengkang project sits in Xiangkhouang Province, Laos, and represents the only rare earth asset held by the Chifeng-Xiamen joint venture. The project was still in its trial-mining stage when the suspension came down. First-quarter 2026 output plummeted to 63.6 metric tons, a fraction of what the project had managed in the prior year.