People in Kachin State are growing increasingly worried about the environmental damage being caused by gold mining and exploitation of other natural resources in their region, with uncertainty surrounding the Myitsone Dam project.
After the February military coup, worries have been voiced about undisciplined miners and business people who are digging for gold excessively at the confluence of the Ayeyawady River, a river which not only represents the heart of the Kachin people but also provides the lifeblood of Myanmar.
“There is grave concern about their work. This area will be covered with water when the Ayeyawady river bursts its banks in the rainy season. The market at the confluence will also disappear,” a local said on condition of anonymity.
Kachin people are also worrying about the use of heavy machinery in gold mining at the confluence of Ayeyawady due to the possibility of disasters if the ongoing excavation continues.
Gold mining can lead to damage to hillsides and riverbeds and the poisoning of water sources when certain chemicals are used.
Mining with the use of heavy machinery has surged in this area since around May in the wake of the military coup.
Local people have actively protested against projects that may damage the river confluence and are wary about the controversial China-backed Myitsone Dam project – put on hold by the Thein Sein regime in 2011 – with fears it may be restarted under the current military regime.
Gold mining is a serious issue in Kachin State. Prior to the coup, Ko Saji, who heads the Myitkyina-based Kachin Development Network, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that nearly one-fifth of Kachin state is being mined for gold on a large scale, bring widespread environmental damage and dramatically altering village life.
A range of local players are involved in the exploitation of this natural resource. These players range from civil service groups to those referred to as business tycoons.
Some prominent gold miners are the community leaders of civil service societies working for the welfare of local people. Yup Zaw Hkwang from Kakhin Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG), some elders of Kachin National Consultative Assembly (WMR) and religious leaders from Christian churches are among the major gold miners.
Mizzima received a report that some Kachin business tycoons are also operating gold mines at the confluence.
One influential gold miner In Kham Aung Aung, who is living in Myitkyina city, has built a retaining brick wall to conserve the river bank and the environment with the funds collected from gold mine businesses.
In Kham Aung Aung is not only a member of Kachin people’s business organization but also a senior member of the gold mine authority board of Kachin State, according to a source.
Khet Htein Nan, who is the military-appointed Chief Minister of Kachin State after the coup, is one of the members of local business entrepreneurs’ association. He was the chairman of this association before the coup.
Protected by the security personnel, the incumbent Chief Minister of Kachin State, Khet Htein Nan, is reportedly seen attending the annual meetings of Kachin business people.
Local people told Mizzima that a junta delegation came to the Myitsone area on 7 November. At the time, gold mining work was suspended and have now been resumed.
“Gold digging work was suspended for about two or three days. The work has been restarted at present. They are currently operating during the night time, and security guards have been stationed to prevent the intrusion of strangers,” said a local source.
Unauthorized personnel who enter the gold mines are typically threatened and punished.
There is a small strategic camp of the Northern Command of the military at the entrance of the village near the main gold mining site. This camp and the market place of Myitsone are about one mile apart.
The camp is under the management of the local training and infantry units under the Northern Command in Myitkyina, under junta control.
For now, local people in Kachin State are unsure as to whether controls will be brought in for gold mining and protection of the environment. There is concern that mining work, particularly with heavy machinery, will continue to badly damage the environment including destroying river bank soil, particularly during seasonal flooding.
How the military junta and those in the gold mining business will handle the issue of conservation remains to be seen. Local people fear the greed of local mining tycoons will trump justice and protection.
