In September 2012, over 5000 villagers participated in a protest at the Monywa copper mine in Burma. Protesters demanded the copper mine be closed, claiming it had led to environmental destruction, forced relocations and illegal land confiscations. The protesters also demanded the release of 3 activists who had allegedly been detained.

On 8 October 2012, around 1000 farmers from 26 villages filed complaints against Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and Wanbao Mining Copper (part of NORINCO), the 2 companies running the mining project.  They allege that the companies took land by force, and threatened and harassed the villagers.

In November 2012, further protests in Rangoon saw some of the key leaders arrested. On 29 November 2012, the Burmese authorities ordered a crackdown of the protest, allegedly injuring around 70 people, including monks. The government has launched an investigation into the crackdown.

In February 2013, a report by Justice Trust and Burmese lawyers accused the Burmese police of using white phosphorous against protestors during the crackdown. An official commission has yet to deliver its findings.

Below is a selection of media coverage of the protests & lawsuit.

"Burma police 'used white phosphorous' on mine protesters" Jonah Fisher, BBC News, 14 Feb 2013

"China requests Myanmar people to be patient until copper mine project report" Eleven Media (Burma), 12 Feb 2013 (includes statement by Wanbao Mining)

"Wan Bao says it will take legal action if Latpadaung copper mine project suspended" Saw Zin Nyi, Mizzima News (Burma), 28 Jan 2013

"Latpadaung activists sentenced, released in Mandalay", Democratic Voice of Burma, 18 Jan 2013

"Four gold mine protestors sentenced to jail", Aye Nai, Democratic Voice of Burma, 03 Jan 2012

"China confident of Monywa, other projects, continuation", Mizzima News (Burma), 28 Dec 2012

"Protesters set up new camps near controversial mine", Aye Nai, Democratic Voice of Burma, 20 Dec 2012

"Burmese officials make new mine protest arrests", AFP, 14 Dec 2012

“Monks protest in Burmese cities over mine crackdown”, BBC News, 12 Dec 2012

“Monks stage protest in Rangoon”, Kyaw Phyo Tha, Irrawaddy (Burma), 9 Dec 2012

“Myanmar govt apologises to monks over mine protest injuries”, Aung Hla Tun, Reuters, 8 Dec 2012

“Burma slams gold miners for protesting without permit”, Aye Nai, Democratic Voice of Burma, 5 Dec 2012

“US Officials Meet Mine Monks”, Radio Free Asia, 5 Dec 2012

“Monywa Inquiry Commission reduced in numbers and powers”, Mizzima News (Burma), 4 Dec 2012

“China remains committed to Monywa project”, Mizzima News (Burma), 3 Dec 2012

“Suu Kyi to Head Probe into Copper Mine”, Yadana Htun, AP, 2 Dec 2012

“Copper mine solidarity protests spread”, Saw Yan Naing & Nyein Nyein, Irrawaddy (Burma), 30 Nov 2012

“Video: Dozens hurt in Burma mine protest”, Jonathan Head, BBC News Asia, 29 Nov 2012

“Copper mine protesters arrested and charged”, Nay Myo, Mizzima News (Burma), 28 Nov 2012

“Suu Kyi speaks out on Monywa copper mine project”, Mizzima News (Burma), 26 Nov 2012

“Letpadaung complaints accepted”, Naw Say Phaw Waa, Myanmar Times, 15 Oct 2012

“Letpadaung Farmers to Sue Copper Mine”, Zarni Mann, Irrawaddy (Burma), 9 Oct 2012

“Mine Protests Challenge Myanmar Reforms”, Patrick Barta, Wall Street Journal, 24 Sep 2012 (includes statement by Wanbao Minining)

“中资企业缅甸铜矿遭当地村民抗议”, Patrick Barta, 华尔街日报, 25 Sep 2012 (Chinese-language version of the Wall Street Journal article)

“Copper Mine Protest Earns Nationwide Support”, Nyein Nyein, Irrawaddy (Burma), 13 Sep 2012

“Authorities struggle to contain protests at Myanmar mine”, Aung Hla Tun, Reuters, 7 Sep 2012

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings to respond to the concerns raised in the final 4 articles above, but the company declined to do so.

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