Residents of Sumprabum Township in Kachin State are experiencing frustration due to the excessive gold mining activities carried out by businessmen near natural rivers and farmlands.

Local residents have shared that they are unable to openly protest against these activities due to indirect threats from the authorities.

According to locals, gold mining in Sumprabum started after the coup and has been growing significantly since then.

“They claim that they are extracting gold under the orders of the government and we villagers, feel intimidated to voice our opposition. We are reluctant to protest or express our concerns strongly. However the harmful consequences resulting from gold mining will impact us- the local residents the most. Unfortunately the authorities have threatened us with punitive measures if we speak out, leaving us feeling powerless and fearful”, a villager said.

The residents of Sumprabum can only witness the rampant gold mining in their area with large machinery without protesting due to these conditions.

Furthermore, certain gold mining operators are coercing local people to sell their land to them.

Some locals who were experiencing financial hardship, were compelled to sell their farms to these businessmen.

“ Business owners often acquire land from local people, sometimes through dirty tactics. They may justify this action by claiming they have government permission to mine for gold in the area, and offer compensation to the locals in exchange for the land”, a local explained.

Some people are forced to sell their farmland, despite their reluctance to part with it, due to circumstances beyond their control.

“As locals we feel hesitant to raise objections or protest against the gold mining companies, unlike people from other regions. If our farmland is within the designated area for mining, we may be compelled to sell it to them without any other option available to us”, the local added.

In Sumprabum Township, there is extensive gold mining taking place on both sides of the Mali Hka River. The Military Council controls the areas on the west side of the river, while the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) controls the areas on the east side.

Many locals suggested that these gold mining operations may be authorized by both the Military Council, and the KIO.Some have even pointed out that it would be difficult to mine gold in the region without obtaining consent from both parties.

The local community also expressed concerns regarding the significant environmental and health hazards related to gold mining in the Sumprabum area since 2021. Residents have reported that the use of heavy machinery in mining activities is causing extensive damage to natural resources, such as rivers and farmland.

“We are facing severe negative consequences as a result of gold mining activities. The once- clear river has now turned red and murky, rendering it unsuitable for fish and inconvenient for irrigation. Additionally, the water scarcity caused by the mining has resulted in failed crop development in the region”, a villager said.

According to locals who have been monitoring the situation, there has been a significant change in the colour of the river from 2021 to 2023, which can be attributed to the continuous use of large- scale machinery in gold mining activities.

The people of Sumprabum have not yet organized any large-scale protests that could potentially

cause major unrest, nor have they sent formal protest letters to the relevant officials. However, they have been expressing their opposition to gold mining in their surrounding lands in various ways, such as erecting signs prohibiting such activities and complaining to the township level offices.

Currently, there has been no response from either the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the political wing of the KIA, or the coup Military Council regarding the situation.

There is currently extensive gold mining taking place in Sumprabum Township along the Mali Hka River, as well as in several other rivers and creeks including Hkrang Hka, Jahti Hka, Jingma Hka, Shaning Hka, Nhtan Hka, Hpung Ing Hka, Hpung Chyan Hka, Zanan Hka, Lai Lum Hka, and Mu Du Hka.