Two of the six antimony plants in Mawmalyine Industrial Zone that were closed by the previous government will be allowed to reopen on a trial basis, the state’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment said.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Min Kyi Win told Hinthar Media that the Northeast Sin Phyu Taw Mineral Exploration Company plant reopened in the first week of October, while the Myanmar Shin Shin Metal Antimony Company’s reopened on November 20.
"The two antimony refinery plants applied to the government for trial-runs, which we allowed in order to inspect whether they harm the environment,” he said.
Inspections will be conducted twice per month to determine if the plants are damaging the local environment, he added.
The refinery plants were suspended by the previous government after local residents complained of fainting and itchiness, which they attributed to gases emitted from the plants.
Mon State Minister of Electricity, Energy and Industry U Min Htin Aung Han reiterated the plants will be shuttered permanently after the trial run if the factories are found to still be emitting gases poisoning local villagers.
“We won’t allow [the plants] to run if the poisonous gas harms the public. We will shut them down completely if they are unable to remove this gas,” he said.
Official from two of the other four refinery power plants, Golden Flagmast International Company and Soe Thuzar Antimony Refinery Plant have also reportedly been in discussion with the state government to arrange a trial reopening.
