40 mining blocks are waiting for recommendation from respective states and regions to operate their mining blocks

There are about 40 mining blocks waiting for recommendations from respective regions and states, but operation will be allowed only after contract signing and test running, said Min Min Oo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The permanent secretary made the remark during the 16th annual general meeting of Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association held on January 6.

"Under the current government, we haven't granted any permission. After we have conducted checks, we ask respective regions and states for their attitude as to whether the proposed mining sites are free from religious areas or cultivable land. We also seek opinions from the local people. We started to allow applying for operating mining blocks in August last year. The applications are still under scrutiny. There are about 40 proposed mining sites. We are still asking for opinions from respective regions and states. After coordination for agreement signing, we will allow them to test-run. Then, mining will be allowed," said the permanent secretary.

Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, said measures for issuing notifications and designating mining areas had been taken to allow small-scale mines in all regions and states except Shan State.

"Under the new mining law, we will be giving permission until May this year during which small-scale mining can be changed into medium-scale mining in accord with the ministerial procedures," said the minister.      

(Eleven Media Group: https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/40-mining-blocks-wait-for-recommendation-from-respective-regions-states-to-operate )

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