Chinese miner: Be patient
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In a January 28 statement, Chinese company Wanbao called on the media and the public to be patient until the government investigation into the controversial copper-mine project in central Myanmar is completed.
The statement said the company was operating the Latpadaungtaung copper mine in the Sagaing region in accordance with the country’s laws. The company said it believes the government will protect the business interests of all foreign investors, and that it would continue the project by resolving the controversy in an amicable and coordinated manner.
The statement also said the company had been transparent and cooperative with the investigation commission and that the final report would carry correct facts.
Hence, it said, the Myanmar media and public should stay calm until the final report comes out together with a directive from the President’s Office, adding that all sides are required to respect that report.
When asked what the firm would do if the copper-mine project were cancelled, Myint Thein, manager of Wanbao Co’s Myanmar operations in Yangon, said that such a situation was not expected. The Chinese company is operating the mine in conjunction with military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.
Meanwhile, locals protested against the project in November, claiming it had adverse environmental and social impacts on the region. The protesters had set up camps in the project area, which were torn down by riot police, who ended up injuring more than 100 people, most of whom were Buddhist monks.
After the crackdown, the government set up a special investigation commission on December to look into the project, and made Aung San Suu Kyi the chairperson.
The commission submitted an interim report to President Thein Sein on January 19, and details will be released once the final report is ready.
