According to residents, there are reports of companies and individuals from certain villages engaging in gold mining activities within the Hte Kha protected public forest area near Hte Kha Creek, located in Machanbaw Town, Putao Township, Kachin State. However, the relevant Forest Department has not taken any action to address this issue.
According to an official from an environmental protection group, as reported by Myitkyina News Journal, there was no mining activity in those areas previously, as the previous government had prohibited gold mining. However, after the coup d’état, the official heard that three companies were granted permission by the State Council to carry out gold mining operations.
The official mentioned, “Since that location is a forested area, we raised our objections and requested them to relocate elsewhere. However, after the coup d’état, they returned to that area and began gold mining. There are numerous others engaged in similar activities.”
Residents have additionally reported that excessive gold mining in the forest area has resulted in the creek water transforming into muddy water.
A resident from Machanbaw Town raised concerns about the muddy water caused by gold mining, stating that it will harm aquatic life in the long run and increase the risk of bank erosion during rainfall.
In addition, the resident mentioned that the Environmental Water and Land Conservation team, operating under the Military Council, had visited and inspected the creek. However, the resident expressed disappointment that the concerns raised by the residents were not taken seriously by the team.
Last year, in December, local residents had requested the businessmen to cease gold mining activities. However, the residents stated that they were unable to stop the mining as the gold miners were operating in cooperation with the Military Council.
Another local resident highlighted that due to the lack of ownership documentation, the locals are unable to prevent individuals who have obtained licenses from the military from engaging in gold mining activities.
Machanbaw residents further revealed that starting from 2021, when businessmen and the military collaborated in mining over 10 gold blocks, locals and members of ethnic tribes have only been able to sell the gold to businessmen at the price set by them.
The continuous gold mining activities in the upper region of Hte Kha Creek pose a significant threat to the well-being of the local population residing in 30 villages. Additionally, the detrimental impact extends to the complete destruction of Hte Kha Creek itself. As a result, the local residents have voiced their unanimous plea for an end to gold mining operations in the area.