Mine dispute may hurt adoption of EITI

 

Such walk-out would hurt the country’s attempt to become an EITI member. The status will guarantee transparency in the country’s extracting industries. Myanmar is sitting on abundant natural resources and is attempting to lure more foreign investment.

“It would be very difficult for Myanmar to become an EITI member country as long as there is this one-sided action, the practice of hiding the news, forced confiscation of land and the handling of disputes with force. We want proper negotiations. It would be difficult for the CSOs to remain in the tripartite group if the authorities continue in their one-sided view. The collapse of the tripartite group would make it difficult for Myanmar to become a member of the EITI. The CSOs will resign from the group if the talks do not run smoothly,” said Tun Myint Aung. 

Meanwhile, protests against the controversial Letpadaungtaung copper mine project stepped up with a protest camp opened on December 29.

The protest camp was opened as the government has been silent on the death of Khin Win who was shot dead in a clash with police on December 22.

On December 29, local protestors removed fences expanded by Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Co Ltd. Local residents from Sede and Tom villages took part in the new protests restarted on December 29.

Police fired a number of warning shots while the protestors removing the fence. The protestors say they will continue their protest. After that, local farmers removed a fence extended near Tom village. 

"We retake our lands by removing fences. We will continue our protests till our demands are met," said a farmer from Sede.

"When the company [Wanboa] files a case against it, we will acknowledge it. The fencing will not be continued. And there will be no violent crackdown on protest camps," said Yinmarbin District Administrator.

On the same day, some 300 protesters also gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy, demanding for an answer on the death.