In spite  of strong objections from local residents, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is planning to resume rare-earth mining in the interior of Hpare village, which serves as the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 7th Brigade in Chipwi Township.

Since 2022, rare-earth mining has been initiated by businessmen with the permission of KIO/KIA in the surrounding ridge of Hpare village. However mining activities have expanded tended into the village area since 2023, leading to repeated objections from residents through written and verbal means since April.

0n May 30, in response to the KIO's preparations to continue rare-earth mining, a meeting was held between local residents and those in charge of the mining operations. During the meeting, the mining representatives informed the residents that they would proceed with mining  operations based on the authorization of the KIO's central command.

The residents have been protesting against the rare-earth mining since the negotiation stage. However KIA has already provided security for the mining operations, despite the objections of the locals.

Residents have clearly expressed their reasons for their vehement opposition. First they cite well-grounded fears about the environmental damage caused by use of acid chemicals in rare-earth mining. They are particularly worried about the impact on local agriculture, the potential harm to future generations, and the potential contamination of their livelihoods.

Currently KIO/KIA is engaged in rare-earth mining activities near Hpare village. This village is part of a distinct administrative area that falls under the control of KIA Brigade-7, located northeast of Panwar town.

There has been a series of protests about the dangerous impacts of rare-earth mining which has triggered support from church leaders. .Rare earth elements are widely used in the production of high-tech devices like smartphones, computers, electric vehicles and solar cells. Mining for rare earth has increased sharply in northern mineral-rich Kachin state, bordering China’s Yunnan province, following the toppling of Myanmar's civilian government by the military on Feb.1, 2021.

Church leaders from Banmaw diocese in Kachin State issued a statement that ,“We are  concerned about the effects of environmental degradation, the livelihoods of local communities, and the wellbeing of animals due to the extraction of rare earth.”

Regarding the issue, a local resident said, "The mining activities in the vicinity of the village has been completed. Presently there is no mining taking place within the village itself. After conducting mining outside the village, the villagers have expressed their concerns about mining activities that could potentially impact the water flowing into the village. Entrepreneurs from the Wa State (autnomomous region of Shan State),have been waiting for rare-earth mining to begin for approximately one year."

In the rare-earth mining operations near Hpare village, cooperation has been observed between KIO and the Wa businessmen. Towards the end of May, they have been conducting mining activities in areas along the village entrance, which is considered village land. Currently they are making preparations to extend mining operations inside the village itself.

Locals report that the residents have been protesting against the rare-earth mining since the negotiation stage. However KIA has provided security for the mining operations, and is actively involved in the mining activities despite the objections of the locals.

Residents have expressed their reasons for protesting, citing fears about the potential environmental damage caused by the use of acid chemicals in rare-earth mining. They are particularly worried about the impact on local agriculture, the potential harm to future generations, and the potential contamination of their livelihoods.

Currently, KIO/KIA is engaged in rare-earth mining activities near Hpare village. This village is situated within a distinct administrative area that falls under the control of KIA Brigade-7, located northeast of Panwar town.

According to a resident of Chipwi Township, it is very difficult to protest against rare-earth mining activities in the region, because the companies are all backed by armed groups, "In Hpare village, rare-earth mining has been taking place for approximately two years. In the past, we made numerous objections to the mining activities carried out by the militias and border guards, who were operating with the backing of the Military Council in the Chipwi and Panwar areas.

During that time, the KIA refrained from engaging in mining activities. However it was extremely difficult to voice our objections due to the presence of armed groups involve in mining. In Mansi, the villagers themselves demonstrated a farsighted perspective and were able to voice their objections. However, on our side, the villagers themselves lacked a long-term perspective. Due to their financial difficulties, they accepted money if it was offered to them, and as a result, they chose to remain silent."

Hpare village, located a day's drive away from Chipwei town, has only Chinese phone lines and lacks access to Myanmar phone lines or internet connectivity.

Despite the strong protests from local residents, the rare-earth mining conducted by militia groups and border guards under the Military Council in the Panwar and Chipwei regions of Kachin State continues unabated.

In April 2023 the KIO decided to revoke its experimental work on rare-earth mining in Ding Sing Pa village, located in Mansi Township, Kachin State. This decision was made in response to the strong opposition expressed by local residents as previously reported by BNI. https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/kio-agrees-stop-rare-earth-mining-its-...

KNG  reported in April.”:KIO Chairman General N’ban La made the commitment at a public meeting in Maija Yang on 15 April in the KIO-controlled territory of Bhamo District.

More than 1,600 local people joined the meeting. The KIO committed to totally stopping all rare earth extraction projects near N’ba Pa, Dingsing Pa and surrounding areas in Bhamo District. “

This landmark KIO decision in April, that heeded the voice of the Kachin people, and stopped their involvement in rare-earth mining in Bhamo district must surely be applied to Hpare village controversy as the issues are almost identical.