Myanmar landslide causes mining disaster

A landslide occurred at a jade mine in northern Myanmar on Sunday, August 13, after intense rain in the area.

The mine where the event occurred is located near the Manna village of Hpakant, about 950 kilometers north of the country’s largest city, Yangon. The area is considered to be the center of Myanmar’s jade industry, which produces about 70% of jades worldwide.

As for the landslide itself, piles of earth, exceeding 150 meters in height, were placed around the mine, and mostly consisted of leftover excavation material and debris. The piles lost strength after a period of intense rainfall and slid down into a lake, roughly 300 meters down the cliff.

It is known so far that 33 bodies of independent miners were recovered from the lake in a rescue mission that consisted of 150 rescuers. At least three more people are believed to still be missing, while another eight were injured in the event and carried to nearby hospitals.

Myanmar’s jade industry accounts for billions of dollars of revenue, reaching about half the country’s GDP. Hence, the industry attracts many unregistered migrants from other areas, as well as independent workers who camp in nearby areas previously excavated by mining companies’ heavy machinery.

Finally, such incidents are not uncommon during the rainy season. In 2020, more than 100 people lost their lives in a similar event in the area, likewise in 2015.