Authorities from MCL to hold another public consultation over cement factory complaints

November 22, 2017

HURFOM: On November 5th 2017, authorities from Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) held a public consultation at the Dama Lawka monastery in Mawlamyine, Mon State, over complaints about its coal powered cement factory in Kyaikmayaw Township’s Pyar Taung region. The discussion was attended by 20 community members from Kyaikmayaw Township and ten monks.

According to a representative from the Siam Cement Group (SCG) – who partners with MCL on the project – the purpose of their discussion with locals was to explain the use of coal to run the factory, and to provide locals with information on how to directly contact consultants on the project and their plans for community development in the area.

A monk who stands with Pyar Taung locals in their fight against MCL’s cement factory explained, “We are not against the factory. We just don’t want them to use coal in their factory. We did not know that the factory would include a coal plant to produce electricity. The company did not tell us anything like that. If the company uses other kinds of fuel instead of coal, locals would be in agreement [about the factory].”

The cement factory, which began full operations earlier this year, has generated large amounts of controversy and opposition amongst locals who say it has negatively affected their communities. Locals say that debris from explosions at the plant have destroyed villagers’ farms and plantations and have caused damage to historical Buddhist images and caves. In addition, nearby villages have complained about health problems for residents using nearby water from the Attran river. Villagers are worried about the future of their environmental resources and are afraid runoff from the factory has contaminated the water.

According to Pyar Taung community leader Nai Ye Zaw, “The company [MCL] began running their factory before they even finished their environmental and social impact assessment (EIA/SIA) reports. Actually, they did not get permission from the government yet. That is unacceptable. Before, the company said that there would be no damage to the mountain, but in reality it has destroyed the mountain. The noise of their explosions is very loud and the authorities from the factory and locals have already discussed about it. The company said that they would fix it, but nothing has changed.”

He added that, “We saw that the factory has dug a canal to the [Attran] river and the dirt [runoff] from the factory flows to the river. We would like them to solve this as well.”

MCL has provided locals with one more consultation in mid-December and locals have raised four points for them to address: 1) to follow current environmental laws and rules; 2) to use clean alternatives to coal to power the factory; 3) to maintain and avoid polluting the Attran river; 4) to address issues about soil erosion and water displacement from passing cargo ships using the Attran river for transportation.

If the company agrees to these four points, locals would accept to join the discussion in the next consultation. Locals have requested that the discussion not be nearby the factory and that the MCL’s decision-making authorities join the discussion.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News