Kantarawaddy Times
At the Shan-Karenni border, in Phekon Township’s Thikeik Village Tract, tensions are rising between a mining company and local residents over mining operations at Myin Ma Hti Mountain. Despite ongoing protests from local residents, the company continues to transport machinery, deepening the standoff, according to the local Pradawng ethnic group.
On April 13, the Pradawng ethnic group sent an official letter to the Four Star Company Limited demanding that all machinery, workers, and company representatives involved in the mining operation be completely withdrawn by April 20.
However, as the Chinese-owned “Mr. Wang Company” continued transporting equipment, the local Pradawng community, together with residents of Thikeik Village, blocked the main access road to the village starting on April 15.
On April 17, five representatives from the Four Star Company Limited, which has a contract with Mr. Wang Company, met with representatives of the local Pradawng community to negotiate.
During the meeting, Four Star Company Limited representatives stated that an immediate halt to mining operations would not benefit either side, according to Khun Aung Naing Soe, the chairperson of the Pradawng ethnic group.
“They basically said that if we don’t back down, they won’t either. Both sides are in a very tense situation,” said Khun Aung Naing Soe.
No agreement was reached during the meeting. Despite the local blockade, the company representatives indicated that they would continue with the mining operation, Khun Aung Naing Soe added.
The Pradawng ethnic group declared that unless a mutual agreement is reached between the company and the local residents, they would continue to strongly oppose the mining project.
According to local residents, the Four Star Company Limited, led by U Than Soe Naing, and the Chinese-owned Mr. Wang Company have signed a five-year contract for large-scale mining operations in the area.
