Rare earth illegally dug in Panwar: Kachin Mining department

Rare earth illegally dug in Panwar: Kachin Mining department
Published 11 December 2019

 

MYITKYINA- The Mining Department of Kachin State released documents which showed some companies digging for rare earth in Panwar region, Myitgyina District, Kachin State.

The documents also showed photos of ten-wheeler trucks loaded with Ammonium Sulphate fertilizer bags that are used in digging up mines and illegal mining plots.

“We submitted the photos and maps. When we inspected the test running mine plot at the south-west of Panwar region in November last week, we foubd over 30 vehicles. Chinese citizens and workers as well as illegal mining plots that were close to the test mine plots were found. But, we are not the arrest team so we only carried out the inspection. Mainly, there are various armed groups. We told them to officially apply for the mining plots and dig after  We also informed the Kachin State Government Committee,” said Director Saw Yu from Kachin State Mining Department.

The Minister of Kachin State Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dar Shi La Sai also said that only the Union Government had a chance to grant the rare earth mining plots in Kachin State.

However, they were going to submit their finding concerning illegal mining tasks to the Union Government.

There are about five kinds of mines out of 17 kinds of rare earth being excavated in Panwar region. Only raw minerals were exported to the China about 10,000 Yuan per kilogram. The sulphuric acid and ammonium sulphate were mostly used in the digging of the mines, according ot the mining department’s record.

Locals said that the environment as well as creeks and drains were polluted due to their illegal digging.

A local social organization also said that the Chiphwe Creek had turned red on December 6th from the mining. It also urged the government and companies to take responsibility for illegal mining and to solve the issues.

Rare earth is a essential chemical substance which can be used in manufacturing of electronic devices, mobile phones and weapons as well as exploiting the advanced fuel. But, mostly rare earth has been found in the China.

In Myanmar, rare earth and minerals can be found in only Kachin State protected by the Kachin State Border Guard Force.

However, those are being exported to the China through the blackmarket routes.