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Rock sampling for coal plan spreads fears of land confiscation in Kyaikmayaw Township

Villagers from Kwan Ngai village in Kyaikmayaw have reported extensive testing of rock samples by a private team of geologists, around Pyar Mountain. This testing marks the first step in plans for the construction of a large scale coal mine and refining plant, which is intended to power the Ni Don cement plant, planned less then a mile away. Wide spread land seizer and significant environmental degradation from such heavy industry is likely to destroy the livelihoods and communities around Pyar Mountain.

On December 10th, senior leaders of the 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd., local government representatives, and a team of geologists began a collaborative project of rock sample testing around the Pyar Mountain which is situated near Kaw Doon, Kaw Pa Nout and Kwan Ngai villages of Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State. The mountain, historically known to be a site for coal, is now the site for extensive testing to determine the volume of coal that might be available for mining. Aware of the current effort to seize land from residents in Ni Don village for the construction of a cement processing center and factory, residents around Pyar fear a similar occurrence. Residents of Kwan Ngai and surrounding villages have voice concerns about the development of the coal project in their village, and the need for land that will arise if a mine and processing plant are built.

Pyar Mountain lies within close proximity of Ni Don Mountain, less then a mile away, on the eastern bank of the Attran river. Larger then Ni Don, Pyar is nearly 4,800,000 square feet in area and over 150 feet tall. On its northern side, are situated Kaw Doon, and Kaw Pa Nout villages and on its southern side, is located Kwan Ngai village. Each village is home to 500 to 600 households. According to the local farmers, agriculture makes up the vast majority of the local economy, with nearly 80% of the population directly involved in the cultivation and harvest of crops. This land, which is passed down through generations, is particularly rich due to sediment from the river, and few have any experience in jobs other then cultivation.

Pyar Mountain is being targeted for mining and development due to its size, mineral wealth, and location. According to a map from the township land surveying department[1], Pyar is surrounded by over 3,000 acres of farmland. From initial tests, geologists taking samples have commented that the mount is rich in natural resources such as coal and lime stone.  Travel to the area is fully accessible during every season due to existing stone roadways. As a result according to several observers, energy and construction companies which are closely related to the military government, have engaged in intense competition to win the contract to develop the region.

Already, Hexa International Co., a government connected development company owned by Dr. Zone Han, was awarded development contracts, but has since disappeared from both the Ni Don mountain and Pyar mountain projects in late 2010[2]. Since then the Ni Don cement project has been taken over by Zaykabar Company[3], and Pyar Mountain has apparently gone to 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd[4].

A Kwan Ngai resident who has graduated with a university degree in 2005, lives in Moulmein, and knows several of the investors in 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd. Based on his knowledge of the project learned form speaking with investors, he notes how the project evolved from the Hexa International Co.’s involvement, and expects that the presence of the project and the environmental degradation will negatively impact the communities:

Through our oral history, I have known for a long time that the coal can be produced from this mountain – the Pyar Mountain.  There were some testing-sites dug by the Japanese during the Japanese era of our grandfather at the base of the mountain.  Now, it seems that 24 Hour General Services Co. knows about this information.  In early 2005, Hexa Co. Ltd. which is led by the president Dr. Zone Han, got permission from the government to build the cement plant at the Pyar Mountain.  They planned to use the coal of the mountain as fuel for the plant.  Moreover, the ships in Kyainnseikyi would [be able to] transport this coal.  I don’t know why [the project with Hexa] was canceled after getting permission….Now, it seems that the 24 Hour General Services Co. has gotten permission for a coal producing business from the government.  The geologists are specially hired and have settled down in Kwan Ngai village and are researching [the area].  Anyhow, it [would be] okay if this business related to the natural resources didn’t impact us, the civilians.  Now, I don’t think it will happen like that.  According to the location, [the project] can only be started after the land [is] confiscated. If the coal plant is built in this region, there will be a lot of side effects.  Are they able to take responsibility for all [the effects]?.  I haven’t seen any responsibility during the era of either this selfish government or the future government which will [be] run only by these [same] people.  As a guess, I think both Kwan Nagi village and the surrounding villages will be in trouble.

The development of a coal mine and processing plant would have sever impacts on communities, displacing those with skills only in farming, and depending on the type of mining, leads to sever deforestation, erosion, destabilization, and the emission of toxic substances in to the air, soil, and water.

Nai Azaw, 44, who cultivates land between Kwan Ngai village and the base of Pyar Mountain, describes how local farmers will suffer from land confiscation after research and surveying projects for the coal plant are complete. Nai Azaw also highlights the community’s awareness of ongoing land confiscation efforts by Zaykabar Company near Ni Don village:

It’s really troubling.  They – the group from the 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd., Kyaikmayaw TPD, land-surveying clerks, and geologists – have settled here and have been testing the rock and soil samples of the Mount Pyar, [gathered by] dynamiting [parts of] the mountain.  According to a member of our VPDC, it will take for about four months [to test rock samples] and then [the coal mining project] has more chance to come true. The geologists who did the tests said the rock sample has given a good sample.  I heard all this news from a member of the VPDC.  As [we are] ordinary citizens who are [living] in a hand-to-mouth situation, we don’t want the coal plant to come true.  No one wants the loss of our jobs and possessions, even if it will be more development of our region.  Even if we got proper compensation [for our land], we can’t effectively manage other jobs that we aren’t skillful in with that [compensation] money.  The money will be lost in a short time.  Our lives will be thrown away if our land is confiscated as [the land] in Ni Don has been unfairly seized by Zaykabar Company, with [only] paltry compensation.

Mi Kon Dae, from Kwan Ngai village, is the owner of an 11 acre paddy filed and plantation on which she is dependent for her survival. She told a HURFOM field reporter that she dislikes the proposed coal project of 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd. and that she does not want to lose her land like Ni Don villagers have.

I don’t want the companies who only consider their own benefit working at our place.  Look at [the situation with] Ni Don and Kaw Pa Nout villagers.  They were intimidated in various ways to give up their land.  Even though their land is valuable, they were paid with only a paltry compensation.  Nowadays, we can do nothing with that amount of money.  I don’t want to hit rock-bottom like those villagers.  I am worried sick.

The potential impact of the 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd. coal mining and processing plant would be severely catastrophic if and when land is seized and construction on the project beings. Communities, already aware of the ongoing resistance of villagers to land seizer around Ni Don mountain, also recognize the threat to their own community. These residents would likely receive nominal compensation for their land, and be left with little opportunity other then to flee the region. Without skills beyond farming, such displacement of land owning families would likely lead to a sever threat to their ability to survive. Beyond that, as the progress is made on the coal project, it will be come clear just how extensive the environmental impacts will be on remaining residents and the local enviroment.

[2] For further information on Hexa International’s previous role in the Ni Don cement project please see, Waiting in Tears: Impacts of impending cement factory development in Kyaikmayaw Township, HURFOM, October 2010.
[3] For further reading on the current effort by Zaykabar Company to seaize land near Ni Don, please see, ‘When I became desperate’: Opinions of residents during forced land acquisition in Kyaikmayaw Township, HURFOM, January, 2011; and the update, Kyaikmayaw Township landowners complain after village head illegally sells land to Zaykabar Company, HURFOM, January, 2011.
[4] Currently little information is available on 24 Hour General Services Co. Ltd, other then that it specializes in energy projects and mining, and has an office based in Rangoon.

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