Myanmar authorities stop 17 illegal gold mines along Ayeyarwady River
U Kyaw Myint Than, director of the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River System said the illegal gold mines were discovered in Thabeikkyin township during an inspection on the area on Monday.
The general administration department, police force and the officials from the Ministry of Mines halted the operations of the mines, he said.
“When we got there to conduct inspection, the miners were no longer there,” U Kyaw Myint Than. But we recovered some of the equipment. So far we have discovered 17 illegal mines.”
He blamed illegal mines in the area for the erosion and collapse of the riverbank, damaging the natural environment and polluting the water due to the acid used in mining activities.
Kyaw Ko Ko
