Mining companies wanting to build a coal mine in Mongkung Township, Southern Shan State will abide by the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army’s (RCSS/SSA) decision on the matter said Nan Yin Kam, a mining company owner.
The RCSS/SSA convened a meeting to discuss the coal mine project between a representative of the people, village activist Lung Sai Luang, Nan Yin Kam the owner of one of the coal mining companies and two RCSS leaders Maj. Sai San and Maj. Saw Sein at Sam Poon Village Monastery in Mongkung Township on 13 January.
In the meeting Lung Sai Luang said the local residents totally objected to the project saying that they would always oppose it and would not allow it to be implemented.
The coal mining companies involved in the project said they did not care whether the local residents rejected the project and that they would continue with it regardless. Because of the intransigence on both sides the arguments continued and no solution was reached.
According to Nan Yin Kam they will all meet again at the Lwe Tai Hluang headquarters of the RCSS/SSA and the companies will only abide by the RCSS/SSA decision.
The Pyae Aung Hein and Hein Myittar mining companies, which received permission from the Naypyidaw government to implement the project, requested that the representatives of RCSS/SSA hold the meeting before Shan National Day on 7 February so that they can start on the project as soon as possible.
According to local people monks from Mongkung Township asked the RCSS/SSA to stop the coal mine project on 31 December 2014.
The RCSS/SSA have said that any person or company that wants to remove natural resources from their areas in Southern Shan State will have to have permission from the local residents and the RCSS/SSA.
Local residents have already met with the authorities and the RCSS/SSA on four occasions to discuss the proposed coal-mining project.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
