KIO Says Gold Mining Requires Local Consent as Environmental Concerns Mount in Kachin
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has reiterated that gold mining in territories under its control is only permitted with the consent of local communities, amid rising environmental concerns and criticism over unchecked extraction in newly captured areas.
Colonel Naw Bu, head of the KIO’s News and Information Department, told KNG that any resource extraction—including gold mining—must align with the will of residents in affected areas.
“We have established a Department of Environmental Conservation and Protection to monitor these activities. Mining is not allowed on public lands, heritage sites, or significant locations without community consent,” Colonel Naw Bu said. “Even private agricultural or residential land cannot be mined without approval from its owners.”
He emphasized that local administrative regions are tasked with monitoring gold extraction activities and ensuring compliance with KIO environmental regulations.
The statement comes amid a marked increase in gold mining operations across Kachin State, particularly following the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s March 2024 offensive, which resulted in the capture of territories along the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River. Since then, environmental degradation has worsened, with local communities reporting rising levels of water pollution and land erosion.
Mining has surged in the Mali Hka and N’Mai Hka river basins, as well as along Ayeyarwady’s eastern banks, affecting townships such as Injangyang and rural areas including Garayang, Katsu, Dabak, and Gandau Yang along the Myitkyina–Bhamo road.
“There’s more mining now than ever,” said a young resident from Myitkyina. “Many people are forced to mine gold themselves due to lack of jobs. The riverbanks are unrecognizable. Forests are scarred, waste is dumped everywhere, and mining is spreading daily.”
Despite the KIO’s official policy, critics argue that enforcement remains weak, particularly in newly seized zones where oversight is limited. Locals say the environmental toll of rampant mining, combined with poor regulatory control, is threatening both ecosystems and communities.
In response to these concerns, the KIO has formed a dedicated team to investigate mining-related activities and curb unauthorized operations.
“Some residents are selling their homes and claiming KIO permission for mining, even when none was granted,” Colonel Naw Bu added. “We’ve launched investigations into these claims. Our team conducts regular assessments to understand what’s really happening on the ground.”
In addition to gold mining, rare earth extraction in border areas such as Chipwi, Kanpaiti, Pangwa, Sadung, and Hpare remains under KIO oversight. Meanwhile, gold mining continue extensively in regions including, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Tanai, and Laiza—often with licenses issued by either the KIO or Myanmar military-aligned authorities.
Local observers note that both Chinese investors and influential Kachin business figures have entered resource agreements with conflicting parties, including the military junta and armed resistance groups.
A March 2024 report by Myanmar Resource Watch found that resource extraction in Kachin has escalated sharply in the four years since the 2021 military coup. Beneficiaries reportedly include the military regime, militia groups, and the KIO/KIA, further complicating efforts to establish transparent oversight.
Environmental experts warn that the cost is being borne by nature and local communities. Deforestation, soil degradation, and river pollution have intensified across the state, with many villages now facing more frequent natural disasters and mounting livelihood challenges.
