At Myinmathi Mountain in Thikyet Village Tract, Pekhon Township, located on the border of Shan State and Karenni State, Chinese and Four Stars companies are forcefully conducting mining operations despite strong opposition from local ethnic communities. Since March of this year, Four Stars Company has partnered with Chinese Master One Company to begin mining operations in the Pra Daung ethnic territory without obtaining consent from local residents. Although local people and Pra Daung ethnic groups have been protesting against these activities, the companies have refused to engage in negotiations and continue their operations unabated.
In the current situation, the companies have entered the area and begun operations without consulting local communities, and have not disclosed information about their operational plans or the extent of their mining activities to local residents. Four Stars Company has entered into a separate contract with the Chinese company and designated the area as their mining concession. Despite ongoing protests and demonstrations by locals, the companies continue their mining operations using heavy machinery, showing no compliance with local demands. The Pra Daung ethnic group and local residents have strongly opposed large-scale mining operations at Myinmathi Mountain and have declared that they will not permit any large-scale mining companies in their territory until the Spring Revolution is complete.
Current demands for Four Stars Company to withdraw their workers and machinery from the site have gone unheeded. Local communities have expressed serious concerns about the long-term impacts of these large-scale mining operations, warning that they could lead to the displacement of villages and cause significant environmental damage to the area. Local residents have also emphasized their desire to preserve the mining area for small-scale local operations that can sustainably benefit the community. Despite multiple meetings between Pra Daung ethnic representatives and Four Stars Company officials, the company has failed to address local concerns or comply with community demands. As a result, local people continue their protests and attempts to block mining vehicles and machinery, though these efforts have thus far been unsuccessful in halting the mining operations.
