FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Activists slam mining sector

Activists slam mining sector

Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs) claim there is little transparency, accountability and responsibility in extraction of the country's natural resources.

The CSOs from Shan and Kachin states and Tanintharyi, Sagaing and Bago regions told a conference at the Summit Park View Hotel in Yangon of the challenges of extracting natural resources and protecting the environment.
Zaw Tun, a member of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) team in Shan State, said: “Shan State farmers have lost land due to gold exploration. The authorities have yet to effectively deal with these problems. In addition, tunnels are dug for hydropower projects. Digging loosens the soil. There is no law to charge those who do such acts. There is no transparency.”
All CSOs said the authorities should protect farmland and natural resources to bolster efforts to establish peace.
Tin Ko Ko Oo from Tanintharyi Region said: “Transport is crucial for the region. There are many mining projects in Dawei. Loose soil from mines has caused floods and cholera. And there are many sand production companies which use big pipes that can damage water resources, pearls, coral reefs and sea life. We raise questions of how these businesses are scrutinised in accord with bylaws and tax law. People know nothing about these companies despite the many laboratory tests. These companies directly send sand to Singapore.”
Representatives from Bago Region and Kachin State said residents suffered from impersonal projects that lacked transparency.
Myanmar is trying to become an EITI member which means it will have to prove transparency in tax collection from natural resources to the EITI secretariat office as well as making it public. The EITI is an international organisation which maintains standards in the extractive industries, assessing the levels of transparency around countries’ oil, gas and mineral resources.
 

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