COVID halts Kachin jade mining
The government has suspended large-scale jade mining operations in Kachin state, fearing the spread of COVID-19 among workers, especially informal scavengers. Jade mining in the state has already been on hold since a deadly landslide in July in Hpaka
Mining firms forced to disclose contracts
Starting next year, all companies in the extractives sector, both private and state-owned, will be forced to publicly disclose their contracts. Affected industries range from timber logging, to oil and gas, to jade and gemstones. The new rule is mean
New report slams mining transparency
In the wake of one of Myanmar’s worst mining disasters, human rights group Global Witness published a report bashing government efforts to make the mining industry more transparent. The report, titled “Out of the Shadows: Who really contr
Myanmar’s jade conundrum
This week, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) relieved two senior officers of their posts in Kachin State following one of the worst mining disasters in Myanmar’s history. According to Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, the officers were disciplined for f
