Rare Earth Mining Threatens Health & Livelihoods Of Chipwi Residents
By Network Media Group
Friday, May 26, 2023
Expanding rare earth mining in Chipwi Township polluting water for local residents and causing landslides that have led to recent deaths, is lining the pockets of Burma’s military and its proxy group, the Pangwa People’s Militia Force (PMF).
In late April, two youths were killed in a landslide in the community. Locals are afraid to travel to the area because of the dangers of landslides.
Villagers who relied on Chipwi Creek as a source of drinking water and to irrigate their fields can no longer after mining residues contaminated it.
“Animals have died after drinking water from this creek and other animals don’t go there. It smells bad,” a local man told NMG, asking that his name not be mentioned. He said they are forced to share water from wells and a spring, but because of the drought caused by climate change, water is scarce.
Chipwi Creek flows into the May Kha River, one of the main tributaries to the Irrawaddy River.
Locals told NMG that the rare earths have been illegally mined in the area for the past four years without consulting with the local population. They’ve complained many times in letters to the relevant government since 2019, but no action has been taken. Last year, the PMF arrested a man for speaking out against the mining in the Chang Mawkhu area.
The armed group, led by U Zahkung Ting Ying, is very active and is making deals with Chinese entrepreneurs in Pangwa, Chipwi and Sawlaw in Chipwi Township. A new rare earth mine was opened in the Tong Muhkung area.
