Media Release From Myaung Byo Villagers
The Heinda mining project, located in Myitta Township, Dawei District in Tanintharyi Region, operated by Myanmar Pongpipat company Ltd. has had many negative social and economic impacts on our community.
Myaung Byo village was relocated to the current place by the government in 1983. After that, the government gave permission for us to grow plantations and farm at the relocated area. At present, over 100 households of over 500 villagers are growing plantation and farming along Myaung Byo creek. After 1999 when Myanmar Pongpipat started to operate the Heinda mining project, creeks and rivers got shallow, many species of plants and animals went extinct and many of our plantations, houses, wells and religious buildings were destroyed due to waste and sediment disposed by the company in an unsystematic manner.
In 2012, there was more flooding causing further destruction of houses, plantations and water sources along the Myaung Byo creek, which is now filled with waste and sediment from the mining project. Though we villagers have seriously suffered from the flood caused by mining project, Myanmar Pongpipat has taken no responsibility for any damages caused to us.
We have reported about difficulties to respective government departments and the company itself, but have not received proper or meaningful responses so far. We have experienced pressure from authorities and a lack of accountability by the company instead of meaningful and fair negotiation.
Therefore, we, the villagers of Myaung Byo will try to seek justice and ask that our rights be respected in a peaceful way by filing a court case to No.(2) Mining Enterprise and Myanmar Pongpipat company Ltd. who are responsible for damages in our village.
Contact:
U Ye Aung – c/o 0949851367 (Myanmar Language)
U Ke Doh – 09256206190, 0949337492 (Myanmar Language)
Ma Mee Gan – 0949600634 (Myanmar Language)
U Thant Zin – 09422190691 (English Language only)
dda.dawei@gmail.com