Myanmar’s mineral exports reached USD $ 1.43 billion between 1 October and 17 July in the 2019 – 2020 fiscal years

Myanmar’s mineral exports have shown a marked increase this financial year, touching US$1.43 billion between 1 October and 17 July, an increase of $183.9 million compared with the year-ago period, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce. In the corresponding period of the previous financial year, mineral exports were pegged at just $1.25 billion. Both private and public sector mineral exports have recorded an increase in the current fiscal, with private sector exports valued at $952.3 million and public sector exports estimated at $484.19 million.
So far, excavation of over 1,250 mining blocks has been permitted on a manageable, small, medium, and large scale, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. Due to the limited extraction of natural resources, exports of forest products and minerals had dropped significantly in the previous years. Permits for mining blocks were suspended in 2016, but after a period of two years, Myanmar’s mining sector has now been opened to local and foreign investors, according to the ministry. Within two years of the implementation of the Myanmar Mines Law, the Mines Department has approved 144 out of 3,000 proposed mining blocks and many more blocks will soon be granted the permit.
At present, evaluation teams in Kachin, Kayah, Shan, and Kayin states and Sagaing, Taninthayi, and Magway regions are screening mining applications, based on the opinions of the respective departments and the region and state governments. The Myanmar Mines Law was enacted on 24 December 2015, but the law came into force when the rules were issued on 13 February 2018. The ministry undertakes the screening process of the proposals for medium and large-scale mining blocks, while regional and state governments are allowed to process applications for small-scale mining blocks. Under the new regulations, foreign firms can invest in large blocks which cover up to 500,000 acres (about 202,000 hectares), while local firms can invest in all kinds of blocks. Investors can seek a permit to mine for minerals such as gold, copper, lead and tin. The permits cover prospecting, exploration, and production. Myanmar’s export sector relies more on the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. While export earnings from the CMP (cut, make, and pack) garment businesses are rising, the country’s reliance on natural resources has been lessening. Myanmar’s mineral products constitute 10 per cent of overall exports. — Ko Htet (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)

(The Global New Light of Myanmar: https://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/mineral-exports-top-1-43bln-in-2019-2020fy/ )

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