China's imports of rare earths from Myanmar slowed to a trickle in August, Chinese customs data showed on Monday, as the closure of a key border crossing to contain the spread of the coronavirus impeded shipments, according to a Reuters report.

China is the world's dominant producer of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used in consumer electronics and military equipment but relies on Myanmar for around 50% of its heavy rare earth feedstock.

The disruption could have a knock-on effect on manufacturers of rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines and has already pushed up prices for key magnet inputs such as terbium AM-CN-TBOXD and dysprosium AM-CNF-DYOXD.