Military council soldiers are standing guard over a lead and silver mining site in Hoya village-tract in Mongyal Township in northern Shan State.
The mining site is located near the spring of Hoya village-tract at the foot of Loilain Mountain in Mongyal Township on the Tangyan-Mongyal border.
“Now, bulldozers and backhoes have moved from Manawae village to Holaung and Konenarmon villages. Around 40 soldiers are standing guard over the site,” a local from Hoya village-tract told the Shan News.
The one who leads the mine exploration is an officer from the Mongpan People’s militia. In late September, the militia demolished a bridge in Manowal village and started the construction of roads, according to locals.
Currently, bulldozers and backhoes have arrived in Holaung, Konenarmon, Manawal and Mongpan villages, a local man adds.
“These villages are about seven to eight miles apart. Now, they move from the foot of Loilain Mountain to the foot of Lwalpan Mountain (locally-called Lwalpanphalar) They are preparing to explore lead and silver. They are carrying out road construction and have started exploration,” he adds.
“Villagers don’t dare to approach the mining site as soldiers are present there. So, we don’t know the detailed information about it. However, villagers have already sent a petition letter which rejects the lead mining to the Township General Administration Department. But no reply is received till date,” an official from Hoya village-tract continues.
Hoya village-tract has more than 20 villages. Farmers may lose their farms as farms in Hoya village-tract will not get water after the implementation of the mining project, according to locals.
Sent by Shan News