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Myanmar compensates farmers for land confiscation for Copper Mine project

Myanmar authorities have started giving compensation to farmers whose lands were confiscated to make way for a copper mine project in Monywa in northwestern Sagaing region, official media reported Monday.

The compensation is part of the move to implement recommendations in the Letpadaungtaung copper mine probe panel’s report.

New villages are set up for local farmers removed from the copper mine project area with houses and roads being built and water and power supply being arranged.

The special committee led by Minister at the President’s Office U Hla Tunis is also implementing suggestions in respect of environmental conservation, socio-economic development, reclamation of farmland, revising contracts, healthcare and safety at worksite, getting international certificates, creating jobs for local people.

Following the release of the probe panels’s report on March 12, the panel’s chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi visited the project site and made two-day village-to-village patient clarifications on the findings and proposals with regard to the project.

The probe panel’s report said the controversial Letpadaungtaung copper mine project should go on as the best choice for the economic benefit of the nation and the people especially for the benefit of the future generation, while amending the weak points concerning economic, social and environmental impacts.

A 15-member committee was also formed by the President to implement the report.

The Latpadaungtaung copper mine project has been undertaken by the Myanmar Economic Holding Ltd and China’s Wanbao Mining Ltd with the approval of the Ministry of Mines in March 2010 after a Canadian company, the Ivanhoe, pulled out 2 yrs ago.

Myanmar’s riot police dispersed protesters by force after the demonstrators defied the government ultimatum to leave the project site on 29 November 2012.

After the incident, Aung San Suu Kyi visited the site, saying that the problem would be settled under rule of law without affecting foreign investment inflow.