abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

The content is also available in the following languages: 简体中文, 繁體中文

Article

26 Aug 2023

Author:
Myanmar Now

Myanmar: Militia members recruited to guard Wanbao's Letpadaung copper mine, resistance forces say

"Junta recruiting militia members to guard Letpadaung copper mining project, resistance sources say" 26 August 2023

Resistance forces detained 14 members of the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia on Thursday as the men were en route to the Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Region’s Salingyi Township, where they said they would be stationed on a security detail...

According to the resistance group’s information officer Htet Naing, most of those detained on Thursday were from Thabaung, and in their 20s and 30s. 

When asked why they were travelling to the Letpadaung site, they reportedly said that they were told they would be guarding the mine, which is a joint venture between China’s Wanbao Mining Ltd. company and the Myanmar military-run Myanma Economic Holdings, Ltd.  

[...]

The captives have since been transferred to the People’s Security Team under the home affairs ministry of the publicly mandated National Unity Government (NUG). 

Also on Thursday, a 20-year-old policeman who had worked as a security guard at the Letpadaung copper mining project for nearly a year surrendered to another area resistance group, Thaman Kyar...

He confirmed that regular trainings had been taking place on-site at Letpadaung, with the military teaching militiamen and police how to operate heavy weaponry...The policemen described the junta as “actively recruiting” Pyu Saw Htee members to serve on Wanbao’s security team. ..

Although Wanbao announced in May of last year that the Letpadaung project had been suspended since the February 2021 coup, residents have said that operations appear to be resuming. 

[...]

More than 40 people living near the mining area in Wet Hmay village were forced from their homes this month after the military occupied and fenced off their community, ordering them to leave.

[...]

According to an August 10 statement from the Salingyi Township Public Administration Team—which operates under the NUG—more than 400 homes in 13 villages in Salingyi have been burnt down in junta arson attacks, and 17 civilians killed by the troops stationed at the Wanbao site.  

Part of the following timelines

Myanmar: Forced evictions by junta troops near Wanbao's Letpadaung copper mine spark tensions

Myanmar: Letpadaung Copper Mine project sparks ongoing protests, land disputes & security concerns

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.