Behind the Scenes of Myanmar's USD $31 Billion Jade Trade

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Behind the Scenes of Myanmar's USD $31 Billion Jade Trade
By Swe Win
Myanmar Now


A jade mining area in Hpakant, Kachin State. Photo:Myanmar Now

YANGON — During the Nov. 8 elections, Khin Maung Myint, 65, won an Upper House parliament seat for the National League for Democracy in Kachin State’s Hpakant District, an area that has long been famous for its jade mines. The newly elected MP spoke with Myanmar Now about the industry’s heavy social and environmental impacts, and how these should be addressed.

The jade trade is highly profitable but who controls it has been shrouded in secrecy, while most raw jade flows across Myanmar’s northern border, untaxed, to China. In November, an investigation by international resource exploitation watchdog Global Witness revealed the trade could be worth as much as USD $31 billion per year. The family of former military supremo Than Shwe was said to have a large stake in the trade, along with members of the old army elite and an ethnic Wa drug lord.

Well-connected companies hold mining concessions, while thousands of small-scale, individual miners scour the edges of the mines in search of gems. This unregulated mining is dangerous; in November, more than 100 miners were killed when a huge waste heap caused a landslide. The rapacious operations have left Kachin State’s environment deeply scared.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1451537955


-- Khaosod English 2015-12-31