YANGON: Tragic Incident at Jade Mine Claims Lives
Monsoon rains have caused a tragic incident at an abandoned jade mine in Myanmar, where a collapse took the lives of five scavengers and left around 15 others missing, according to state media reports on Tuesday.
In Myanmar, the mining sector operates largely without regulation. The northern state of Kachin is known globally for its rich jadeite deposits, a gem that holds cultural significance in many Asian societies and is highly sought after in neighboring China.
Many of the mining operations are under the control of rival groups engaged in the ongoing civil conflict that erupted following the military coup in 2021. These factions profit from the mines, while local residents work under harsh conditions or search for leftover gemstones to survive.
“On Sunday night, approximately 20 scavengers were working under floodlights when the slag heap suddenly collapsed,” state media reported. The incident occurred in Hpakant township, an area known for its jade mining. Authorities believe the collapse was triggered by days of heavy rain, which made the unstable waste heaps even more dangerous.
Search and rescue teams are actively working at the site, with five confirmed dead and about 15 individuals still unaccounted for.
Unfortunately, accidents like this are not uncommon in Myanmar’s mining sector, especially during the rainy season. Workers often dig in unsafe conditions, leading to frequent landslides and other hazardous events. Scavengers, who sift through discarded materials for valuable stones that may have been overlooked, often face the most perilous situations.
Hpakant has also been the scene of intense clashes between the Myanmar military and opposing forces in their struggle for control of the lucrative jade mining operations. Since the military’s takeover, the country has been engulfed in a civil war, undermining years of hard-won democratic progress.
