|
. | . |
|
by Staff Writers Naypyidaw, Myanmar (AFP) July 25, 2013 Myanmar has revised a controversial copper mine deal with a Chinese company, officials said Thursday, after a series of protests against the project that triggered a violent police crackdown. The new terms give the Myanmar government 51 percent of the revenue, Minister of Mines Myint Aung told parliament, in an apparent attempt to assuage public anger by giving the nation a share of the profits. Chinese firm Wanbao will receive 30 percent of the revenue from the Letpadaung mine while military-owned Myanmar Economic Holding (MEH) will take 19 percent. Previously the mine at Monywa in central Myanmar was a joint venture between Wanbao and MEH. Wanbao will also contribute several million dollars each year for corporate social responsibility activities and for the eventual mine reclamation process, Myint Aung said. A botched raid on a protest at the copper mine last November sparked an outpouring of anger after police used phosphorus against protesters, in the harshest crackdown since the end of military rule. Dozens of monks and villagers were injured in the raid, which came as protesters tested the limits of new-found freedoms under a quasi-civilian government. Even opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is normally venerated around the country, was heckled by villagers earlier this year after she recommended that the mine be allowed to go ahead, despite concerns over its environmental impact and land-grabbing. Villagers living in the area said Thursday they would keep up their resistance to the project. "Our intention is to stop the copper mine project completely," farmer San Maung told AFP by telephone, vowing to maintain peaceful opposition. "We will protest if needed. We rely on this mountain for our living... We will also oppose it because there's no transparency," he added. Rights campaigners have expressed concern at the continuing arrest of activists opposed to the mine in recent months, despite a pledge by President Thein Sein to free all political prisoners by the end of this year.
Related Links Global Trade News
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement |