The Information Team of State Administration Council (SAC) said on November 26 that only two iron ore-type metals were found at the Pangpet Steel Mill project site in Taunggyi Township, and any uranium and plutonium metals, which are required for nuclear production, were not found.
False allegations that the No.2 Pangpet steel mill project, which is being implemented under the Ministry of Industry in Namt Hsi Village-tract, Taunggyi Township of Shan State, is involved in weapon manufacturing and the uranium issue are now circulating on the social media pages. The steel mill is currently threatening to destroy the livelihoods and farmlands of the thousands of local people living along the Nanttabet creek. Moreover, most middle-aged patients are suffering from the lung cancer due to the project, according to the report of SAC information team.
Commenting on that news, an official from the Ministry of Industry clarified that the accusation that arms are being manufactured at the mill is false. The statement from the military sources that they are trying to deal with the nuclear issue is completely wrong.
The official added that the iron ore to be used in the mill to make steel mainly consists of hematite and limonite, with only small amounts of silica and alumina. No traces of uranium or plutonium, necessary for nuclear products, were found.
Therefore, the accusation of engaging in nuclear-related activities is a sheer nonsense, the official said.
Current annual production of the mill stands at 200,000 tonnes of iron ore and it is expected to meet the country’s iron and steel needs.
The project is part of the government’s strategy for economic development through import substitution, and will contribute to the creation of jobs for Myanmar citizens through the use of both technical and human resources in the iron and steel sector.
The government emphasizes the implementation of long-term plans to enable localization in the use of necessary industrial raw materials at reasonable prices. Spreading such fake news is intended only to hinder the economic development of the nation and create misunderstanding among the ethnic people.
