自2022年起，至少有27個新的礦場在湄公河支流沿岸地區開採，其中大部分位於保護區及重要流域。這些非法採礦活動通常由中國投資者資助，他們繞過中央政府，僅透過地方官員的許可進行開採。這些開採活動造成了各種環境破壞，包括森林砍伐、有毒水污染及化學物質外洩等。許多野生動物，例如極度瀕危的白頰長臂猿、瀕危的亞洲象以及多種魚類，都面臨威脅。
At least 27 new mines have opened since 2022 across rivers that flow into the Mekong Rivers, majority of them located in protected areas and critical river basins. These illegal minings are often funded by Chinese investors that secure permissions from local officials but bypassing central government authority. These explorations is causing environmental impacts including deforestation, toxic water pollution and chemical spills. Numerous wildlife species — such as the critically endangered northern white-cheeked gibbon, the endangered Asian elephant, and various fish species — are now under threat.
