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

The document examines China's role in the bauxite mining sectors of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It highlights that while China is a dominant investor in Laos and involved in construction in Vietnam, the region faces significant challenges including bureaucratic inefficiency, lack of public information, and potential transboundary environmental impacts on river systems like the Sekong River. The brief also notes that the availability of cheap hydropower is a critical factor for establishing a full aluminum value chain in the region.

• China is strategically investing in bauxite mining and infrastructure in the Mekong region to become the primary market for bauxite, alumina, and aluminum. Its presence varies by country: Chinese investors dominate in Laos through consortia with Lao and Australian firms, they are primarily involved in engineering procurement construction for alumina factories in Vietnam, and they have no bauxite investors in Cambodia.
• Bauxite mining in the region is expected to cause significant transboundary environmental impacts, specifically regarding water quality, hydrology, and fisheries. For example, mining in Laos has raised concerns in Cambodia due to potential industrial waste discharge and increased water use in the transboundary Sekong River.
• The development of a full bauxite value chain is hindered by the need for reliable and cheap power. Additionally, 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} }