The Monywa copper mine in Myanmar...should symbolize all the opportunities of a resource-rich country emerging from nearly half a century of military misrule. Instead, as thousands of villagers protest against the mine in a rare standoff with authorities, Monywa is a vivid reminder of the festering problems that have long overshadowed Myanmar's promise...[S]ecurity forces confronted demonstrators armed with sticks and knives at the mine, a day after about 5,000 villagers protested over what they say is the unlawful seizure of thousands of acres of land to make way for a $1 billion expansion of the Chinese-run project. Its backers, the military-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings...operated with impunity for decades...Officials at the local operator of the mine, Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper...were not immediately available. [refers to NORINCO, Ivanhoe Mines, Rio Tinto] [Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings to respond, but the company declined to do so]