The Chinese Wanbao Company has issued a statement regarding the shootings in the Letpadaungtaung copper mine project area, and said it did not want to be involved in the recent conflict.

The Letpadaungtaung area has been repeatedly attacked by armed groups. Many bombs were fired in the mine area with long-range weapons, and a high-voltage power tower was blown up. No one was killed or injured in the incident, it said.

Production of the copper project has been suspended since February 2021. In the face of operational difficulties and financial pressures, investments are being made to benefit employees and the project environment. Some Myanmar workers voluntarily live in the mine area and work on factory maintenance. It was important for the project, the statement said.

Attacks on the project could lead to a loss of income for Myanmar employees and a socio-economic crisis. As a result of the power tower damage, power outages are affecting areas near the project, according to Myanmar Wanbao.

The copper project has been suspended for more than 16 months, but efforts are being made to provide support to company employees and the surrounding community. All employees are paid basic salary. The project has been suspended but has not stopped providing support to the local community, it said.

The company does not want to be involved in the current conflict. It have expressed its desire not to harm innocent people and surrounding villages. It urges all armed groups and unarmed groups to the safety of project staff, to respect the right to life and the right to choose," it said in a statement.

The No. 1 Mining Enterprise will receive 51% of the production benefits from the Letpadaungtaung copper project and Myanmar Wanbao, a subsidiary of China-based Wanbao, owns 30 percent. Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd has a 19 per cent stake. In addition, Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd and Myanmar Yangtze, a subsidiary of Wanbao, own 51 per cent and 49 per cent of the Sabetaung and Kyesintaung projects respectively.