VIENTIANE: Laos has completed field surveys and identified two major potential rare earth target areas spanning four provinces, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) reported.
The two zones are the Bolikhamxay-Khammuane border region in central Laos and the Sekong-Attapeu area in southern Laos. MoIC disclosed the findings following Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon’s visit to the Institute of Industry, Commerce, and Energy.
Authorities have not yet disclosed full details about the sites.
Rare earths form a group of specialised metals that power many modern technologies. The semiconductor industry uses them to manufacture advanced chips, electronic components, lasers, and other materials essential to high-tech production.
Laos has already built rare earth infrastructure to support the sector.
In 2023, Laos opened the Rare Earth Quality Supervision and Testing Laboratory, a joint research facility built with Chinese support to inspect rare earth quality, in Dongmakkai village, Xaythany district, Vientiane.
The country holds significant heavy rare earth deposits in the northern provinces of Xieng Khouang and Houaphanh.
In late 2022, the Lao government granted Chinese companies a concession to develop the province’s first rare earth mining site in Xieng Khouang, covering 50 square kilometres across Khoun and Phaxay districts. Earlier in June that year, Laos launched a 50-square-kilometre rare earth project in Houaphanh, a 5-square-kilometre mining site plus a 45-square-kilometre exploration area, spanning Huamueang and Xam Neua districts, which Lao-China Northern Rare Earth Development now operates.
State media reported in 2023 that Laos runs roughly 15 rare earth mining projects nationwide.
In late 2025, the Lao government submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to convert protected forest land in the Nam Ngiep area of Khoun district, Xieng Khouang, into a rare earth mining investment site.
The government also put forward a second proposal for Houaphanh Province, seeking to convert forest land within the Yod Ngeung-Pha Daeng National Production Forest and the Sop Paen-Houay Ko National Protected Forest, in Kuan district, for rare earth mining and processing. - Laotian Times
