One of the world’s most strategically important tin mines is slowly coming back to life in eastern Myanmar, according to new analysis from the International Crisis Group. The Man Maw mine, located in autonomous Wa State near the Chinese border, had been shut since 2023, sending tin prices soaring as demand surged from the artificial intelligence industry. Tin is essential for soldering microchips and powering data centres. Myanmar’s sudden rise as the world’s third‑largest producer in the 2010s made it a critical supplier to China. When the United Wa State Army, the powerful ethnic militia controlling the area, halted operations, global markets scrambled to secure alternative sources. Now, satellite imagery and customs data suggest activity is resuming. “Ore is moving again,” the think tank reported, though output remains well below pre‑suspension levels. China’s imports of tin ore and concentrates from Myanmar in the first half of 2026 have already surpassed the total for 2025, reaching nearly 40,000 tonnes. Night‑time illumination and new construction around the site also point to renewed operations. At its peak in 2016, Man Maw supplied almost 500,000 tonnes of tin ore to China, accounting for more than 99 per cent of Beijing’s imports. Crisis Group’s senior Asia adviser Richard Horsey told AFP there is evidence of “a steady but uneven ramp‑up” at the mine. The restart carries global implications. Tin prices hit record highs in January, driven by fragile supply chains and booming demand for AI‑related electronics. Any revival of Man Maw could ease pressure on markets, though challenges remain. Analysts warn of flooded shafts, depleted high‑grade ore and the opaque politics of Wa State, where the United Wa State Army has long been accused of narcotics trafficking but remains shielded by Chinese patronage. The 2023 shutdown was likely the result of internal disputes among Wa factions rather than direct conflict, Crisis Group said. Yet the mine’s future profitability is uncertain, and access to information remains tightly restricted. For now, the cautious restart underscores how a single site in Myanmar can ripple across global technology supply chains. As AI continues to drive demand for critical minerals, the fate of Man Maw will be closely watched by governments and industries alike. -2026-09-11
