Two killed in landslide during illegal mining in Myitnge

Mekong, July 26 Two local residents died while illegally mining for minerals in the Myikhan village tract of Myitnge Township, Shan State, eastern Myanmar, locals told Mekong. The deaths occurred in the Kelpaline area of Kyeejelone village, Myikhan village tract, Myitnge Township, they said. "One person died on the 22nd after falling from a hillside, and on the 24th, the pit collapsed and they were buried in soil on the Chinese company's side while they were mining. The deceased was related to the administrator," he said. He said he did not know whether the deaths had been reported to the township or not, and that only the administrator and the village scribe would know. He said the mineral produced in the region is lead, and villagers can only mine it by hand. "The administrator's name is Lahoo Lo Aelo Kway, and in Burmese, it's Sithu Aung. He's not too bad. The minerals obtained cannot be sold outside. They can only be sold to the villagers. They can get up to 80,000 to 100,000 kyats (approximately $40 to $50) per viss (approximately 1.6 kg). They also mine in Kyeejelone. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't, don't," he said. He said that these local residents have no other employment and have to rely on lead mining to some extent, and use the money obtained from mining for their living expenses and military service fees. He said that in the Myikhan region, only Pwint Phyo Kyaw Company has obtained legal mining permits, and apart from that, there are only many Chinese illegally mining. #MeKongNews #Myitnge #MineralMining #Landslide #Death