Farmers protest against Chinese copper mine
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Local farmers have been protesting against a copper mine project in Salingyi township of Monywa district since the third week of August.
Chinese Wanbo Copper Company is operating the project which was handed over by the Mine Ministry to the military-backed Myanma Economic Holdings Limited in 2010.
The farmers said that over 7,800 acres of farmlands were confiscated for this project.
“In 2010, we received compensation of Ks 0.52 million per acre for the loss of our crops for three years,” said a farmer taking part in the protest.
The locals reluctantly accepted the compensation, assuming that it was not for the loss of land, but for the loss of crops which were destroyed due to route of trucks from the project.
The farmer said, “The mine company informed us that they have already owned the farmlands as they have paid compensation to us. We do not accept their claim. I lost 14 acres of farmland in this land seizing case.”
Locals said farmlands from 22 villages have been confiscated, including four villages that were forcibly removed.
Reports said about 1,000 locals participated in the protest near the project area but police dispersed them with riot shields and batons.
“Our farmlands were forcibly confiscated. Police forces are covering Chinese people of the project without protecting local residents,” a local said.
“The management of project did not negotiate with the locals. [Government] officials also neglected the losses of farmers. We are determined to sacrifice our lives to stop this project, if necessary,” he added.
A local company, Htoo Company, is part of the project and is involved in earth excavation, among others.
“I personally believe that the farmers can stage protest for their losses. However, they must solve this problem cleverly,” said an employee involved with the project.
Reports said the Chinese company will construct facilities. Total production is expected to reach 100,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes per year. Wanbo will take 51 percent of total production while MEHC will take 49 percent.
The Chinese company will bear the costs for construction of facilities and production.
The discovery of this copper mine was recorded by Indian geology survey team in the book "The Mineral Resources of Burma" published in 1934.
A combined team of Yugoslav technicians and Myanmar geologists made a survey from 1955 to 1957 at the Latpantaung mountain near Salingyi township and published a report that survey should be done with diamond drilling.
About 150 Chinese citizens are working at the copper mine project.
