Burma and coal
{{#badges: Climate change |CoalSwarm}} As of 2011, there is an estimated total coal reserve of more than 270 million tons in Burma, and 16 active coal mines.[1]
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Tigyit coal mine
The Tigyit coal mine produces about 2,000 tons of coal daily. The China National Heavy Machinery Corporation initiated the Tigyit project in 2002, about 16 miles from Inle Lake, in partnership with the Burmese companies Eden Group and Shan Yoma Nagar Company. A 2011 report by the Pa-O Youth Organisation states that coal production from the mine produces at least 100 tons of coal ash and coal waste, which is disposed in a nearby coal-fired thermal power plant, whose water flows into Belu creek. The waste water released by the coal mine project also flows into upper Belu creek and then flows into the second largest lake in Burma, Inle Lake, an Asean national heritage site. There are about 25 villages within a 5-mile radius of the project, which are home to about 11,592 people. The 2011 report found that the mine has created air and water pollution which has caused about 2,000 nearby residents to report skin diseases. When the project was started, 24 houses in Taung Po La and Likah villages were forcibly relocated by companies and local authorities.[2]
An article in the Democratic Voice of Burma stated that the China National Heavy Machinery Corporation Company (CHMC) is the main economic thrust behind Burma’s largest open-pit coal mine and coal-fired power plant in Tigyit, and that the 2000 tonnes of lignite coal mined each day is shipped to a nearby cement factory for use in dam construction.[3]
Sagaing Region
In February 2011, three major contracts were signed for the production of tens of thousands of tonnes of coal in Sagaing Region, starting in 2011. Two of the mines will be in Kalewa township, and one in Mawlaik township.[4]
A 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant, part-operated by the China Guodian Corporation, is also under construction in Sagaing division, with the power slated to be sent to Burma’s largest copper mine in nearby Monywa, operated by Chinese weapons manufacturer Norinco. The output from the Monywa mine will go to China, with a statement in 2009 on the Norinco website saying that the deal would “enhance the influence of our country in Myanmar [Burma]”. The article also noted that a similar agreement will also allow China’s Taiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Company, the largest steel manufacturer in the world, to mine the Sagaing division for nickel.[3]
Citzens groups campaigning on coal mining
Articles and Resources
Related SourceWatch articles
References
- ↑ Kyaw Kha, "2,000 people report skin diseases from Tigyit coal mine" Mizima, Jan. 21, 2011.
- ↑ Kyaw Kha, "2,000 people report skin diseases from Tigyit coal mine" Mizima, Jan. 21, 2011.
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 Francis Wade, "Shouldering China’s toxic burden" Democratic Voice of Burma, March 23, 2011.
- ↑ Juliet Shwe Gaung, "Sagaing coal deals inked" Myanmar Times, Jan. 31, 2011.
