In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region

This policy brief examines China's strategic investments in bauxite mining and infrastructure within Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, highlighting the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential for significant transboundary environmental impacts.

• China is strategically investing in bauxite mining and regional infrastructure in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to establish itself as the primary market for bauxite, alumina, and aluminum. Chinese investment varies by country: in Laos, Chinese investors dominate through consortia with Lao and Australian firms; in Vietnam, they are primarily involved in engineering procurement construction bids for alumina factories; and there are currently no Chinese bauxite investors in Cambodia.
• Bauxite mining in the Mekong region is expected to cause significant transboundary environmental impacts, specifically regarding water quality, hydrology, and fisheries. Concerns have been raised in Cambodia regarding the downstream effects of industrial waste discharge and increased water usage from mining operations in Laos on the transboundary Sekong River.
• The development of a full bauxite value chain is hindered by the need for cheap, reliable power, which may be addressed by utilizing hydropower from the region's rivers. Furthermore, the industry suffers from a severe lack of public information disclosure and minimal government capacity or will to regulate companies and ensure environmental and social compliance.

APA

Lazarus,, K. M. (2009). In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/search-aluminum-chinas-role-mekong-region-policy-brief

Chicago

Lazarus,, Kate M. In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2009. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/search-aluminum-chinas-role-mekong-region-policy-brief.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lazarus, |first1=Kate M. |title=In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=11 August 2009 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/search-aluminum-chinas-role-mekong-region-policy-brief |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lazarus2009search, author = {Lazarus,, Kate M.}, title = {{In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2009}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/search-aluminum-chinas-role-mekong-region-policy-brief}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }