Padoh Saw Kae Le, the head of the Karen National Union (KNU) Mining Department called for close supervision of mining in KNU areas.
He made the comments at the department’s annual meeting held from 20 to 21 September in Lay Kay Kaw Myothit in Hlaingbwe Township.
He said to KIC News: “I gave a little warning to follow the rules and regulations set down [by the KNU] and to work systematically as issues often arise between [mining companies and] the public and the NGOs [non-governmental organisations] over mining.”
Padoh Saw Kae Le also said that civil society oranisations (CSOs) have already spoken out about the impact caused by gold, alloy and coal mining in KNU areas being carried out by private companies with the permission of the Burmese government or the KNU.
He said: ““There are rules and regulations, but the heads of [the district-level mining] departments themselves are weak. Experts have not given enough awareness training. We are weak in all areas [of expertise]. We will consult with people who are experts in addressing these [types of] weaknesses.”
Mining expanded after the KNU and government signed a ceasefire in 2012. Most of the gold mining is in the districts of Thaton, Taungoo, Nyaunglaybin, and Hpa-pun. In Dooplaya District alloy is mined and in Mergui-Tavoy District coal is mined.
Local residents have previously protested against the loss of their farmlands and the environmental harm and damage caused to rivers and streams by mining. This caused the KNU to object to the reckless manner in which some companies were carrying out their mining in the districts of Nyaunglaybin, Doopalaya, and Hpa-pun. The KNU then withdrew those companies’ mining licences.
Saw Thar Boe, a rivers and mining activist said: “There must be transparency. The mother organisatio [the KNU] must work out where the money is going. There must be responsibility and accountability. Some of the coal [mining] shouldn’t be carried out because it’s dangerous. [The KNU] needs to clearly ask local residents [their opinions]. There should be no mining if they [the local residents] don’t allow it.”
The KNU said that as part of its basic policies to help members of the public it has made rules, regulations and laws to ensure that mining does not harm the public or the natural environment.
Reporting by S’Phan Shaung for KIC News
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
