Press Release Joint Statement by Chin Students Union

We, The Chin Students Union of the University of Rangoon, threatened to mobilize the entire youth of the region to halt the expansion of mining activities in forest reserves if Government does not intervene to bring an end to the controversial expansions. We are prepared to lead the fight against mining firms and their local economic agents against the rape and destruction of our country. We are responding to plans recently released by Chinese mining companies to operate in the Letpadaung, Shwe and in Mwe Taung concessionary areas respectively. Of particular concern is the granting of concessionary rights in the Chin Forest, described in the statement as the pride of Chin/Zomi. We believe that this is against natural interest considering the potential catastrophic ecological effect. We are aware of the ecologically strategic importance of the Chin forest and we insist that clearing the forest for mining activity will cause the nation an irreparable loss. The entire youth of Chin State would be organized to resist the encroachment of mining activities on the forest reserves, the Union promised, and would cooperate with broader social groups, trade unions, student unions and mining communities to halt the exploitation of the Chin forest reserve and all forest reserves in the country. It cited lack of commitment to social responsibilities by mining companies in the areas they operate. Over the years mining industries yielded no economic benefit to the inhabitants of the mining areas. It has also rid them of every form of livelihood as consequence of the destruction of farmlands, poisoning of rivers, streams and other forms of ecological disasters. We called upon Government to halt all exploratory and mining projects in the forest reserves in the Northwestern Region, and to immediately review the terms of engagement of mining firms, enforce environmental standards and ensure that the socio-economic interests of mining communities are protected. The Union is also calling for a review of the country's mining laws, as well as the outright withdrawal of the mining bill, which has only come to further serve the interests of foreign mining firms, according to the statement. Guullu Mual/Mwe Taung Mountain would not become an unconscious play thing in the hands of greedy foreign mining companies and their local economic agents and political collaborators as well as the Government of Burma, the students assert. Gullu Mual/Mwe Taung Nickel Deposit is located in Tedim (Tiddim) Township, Chin State of Zomi indigenous people inhabited land of Asia.