After the military coup, Homalin Township has seen rampant illegal gold mining, according to locals.

“There was illegal gold mining since before the coup. Taking advantage of the military coup, now people do rampant illegal gold mining. I don’t know where the illegal gold miners come from. I don’t know which organization would handle my complaint,” said a local from Uyu creek.

In addition, there is also illegal mining at Naungmikemal Lake between Hlwasingone village and North village in Naungpoaung village-tract, according to locals.

Gold miners are making clearance in the lake by backhoes since one week ago. It is being done under the name of a local from North village.

On June 15th, locals lodged a complaint to the Homalin Township Administration Council to ban gold mining as it can damage more than 200 acres of farmland near the gold mining site. But so far no one has banned it.