Mining

Greenland holds vast reserves of rare earths that power everything from electric vehicles to military tech. As the world races to loosen China's grip on critical minerals, this Arctic island is emerging as a new battleground, where extreme conditions, soaring costs, and local resistance stand in the way.

Known for its colorful pink hues and rich salt deposits, Lake Retba, or Lac Rose, is a driving force of Senegal's economy. But extracting salt from a hypersaline lake comes with its fair share of risks for local miners.

Myanmar's Kachin State is believed to hold up to 90% of the world's most valuable jade. Demand for it is growing in China, where the stone is considered sacred.