Myanmar Tribe Rises Against Chinese-Backed Lead Mining Project
In Myanmar’s eastern Shan State, a fierce protest has erupted against a Chinese-backed lead mining project, as members of the indigenous Pradawng tribe rally to protect their ancestral land. The mining operation, spearheaded by Myanmar’s Four Star Company in partnership with a Chinese firm, has drawn outrage from the local community who fear irreversible environmental damage and a threat to their cultural heritage.
The project site lies near the village of Thi Kyeik in Pekon township, home to roughly 3,000 members of the Pradawng tribe, a subgroup of the Kayan ethnic community with a 381-year-old lineage. Tribal leaders claim the venture was initiated without any consultation and that heavy machinery was brought in as early as February, raising fears of soil and water contamination due to toxic lead residue.
Voicing their determination, local protest leader Khun Khine Min Naing declared, “We don’t want to leave this land environmentally damaged for the next generation.” The tribe has not only blocked road access to the mining site but has also warned that they may seize equipment if operations are not halted.
Pradawng Tribe’s Stand for Environmental and Cultural Survival
The community’s opposition centers on the potential use of hazardous chemicals in lead extraction, which poses grave health risks—particularly to children—and threatens to pollute the region’s ecosystems. Lead mining, while crucial for producing lead-acid batteries, has long been identified as a severe public health hazard.
Beyond environmental damage, the Pradawng see the mining project as a violation of their rights. They regard the land as sacred, passed down through generations, and integral to their cultural identity. The tribe has demanded a permanent halt to the project and full accountability from the companies involved.
Rising Scrutiny of Chinese Mining Presence
The involvement of a Chinese entity in the project has added to local unease, especially as China remains Myanmar’s top destination for lead exports. In 2023 alone, 98% of Myanmar’s lead ore exports were shipped to China. Many believe the true volume of exports is higher, citing widespread unregulated mining across conflict-prone regions.
Though the Chinese partner’s name has not been officially disclosed, it became publicly known during a recent company-led event attempting to address local backlash. The Four Star Company is known to have ties with the Kayan New Land Party, a political group that has maintained a ceasefire with Myanmar’s military—a connection that further complicates the local dynamics.
The growing defiance of the Pradawng tribe underscores the ongoing conflict between rapid industrial development and indigenous rights. As Myanmar opens up more of its natural resources for extraction, such protests may only become more frequent and more determined, especially when the cost of progress comes at the expense of identity, health, and heritage.
