Lead Mining Pollutes Kay Ta and Kay Tu Rivers Affecting 11 Villages

A lead mine located near two rivers (Kay Ta and Kay Tu) in Tavoy Township, Tenarassim Division , Southern Burma is polluting and contaminating the water for 11 villages who rely on the rivers for their drinking water and livelihood activities. 

The mine is operated by a Thai company called "Popipet Mining Company Ltd".  The mine has been given permission to operate in this area by both the Burmese Government and the Karen National Union (KNU) since 1997. The mine was given permission to operate for 15 years and will continue until the end of 2012.

Approximately 500 tonnes of lead is mined each year.  Heavy machinery is used to dig, load and move the soil to obtain the lead from the ground.  There are 11 villages that rely on the Kay Ta and Kay Tu rivers for their daily-use, agriculture, and economic activities.  Wastes from the mine are being dumped into these rivers.  Acid mine drainage from the lead purification process also pollutes the river. 

The water has become contaminated with lead and is unsafe for villagers to drink and use for their daily needs (cooking and washing).  The fish in the rivers has become unsafe to eat and villagers have also noticed the population of fish in the rivers is declining. 

In addition to the lead contamination and pollution, the company has also built small dams on several places along the river to collect water for mining use. These small dams are changing the way water flows in the river and are causing a large amount of sediments being deposited into local farms during the rainy season.  This sedimentation is damaging the villagers' farms.   

Both the Burmese government and KNU collect taxes from the mining company in return for being allowed to operate in the area.  However, neither the Burmese government, the KNU or the mining company are taking responsibility for the pollution and other negative impacts the mine is having on villagers and their environment. 

One villager in the community said “We have to take responsibility by ourselves if the mining is affecting us. The company takes no responsibility at all.” Since the mine opened, there has been no communication or awareness-raising to the affected communities about the potential negative impacts or consequences of a lead mining operation.

Although there are many mining operations in Karen State, the KNU does not have a clear policy or guidelines on the protection of rivers from the waste and chemical contamination caused by mining.  As well, there is little to no education or awareness-raising for local people about the negative environmental and health impacts of mining activities. Thuleikawwei