Jade trade grinds to halt over battles for Kachin mines
Due to recent armed conflict between Union government troops and the Kachin Independence Army near jade-rich Hpakant Township, trade at the jade market southwest of area in Seng Taung has ground to a halt, merchants said.
Private jade miners in Hpakant received the green light to resume operations in September 1, after the Union government suspended mining in the area for two years, trade at the market was beginning to resume, merchants said.
Clashes between the KIA and Tatmadaw earlier this month put an end to the region’s major industry, they said.
After the government approved the resumption of jade mining, a spokesperson of the central committee of Kachin Independence Organisation, said it could not assure security at jade mines.
“The situation is not encouraging. Resumption of worksites halted because of instability,” said Zaw Htet, a jade merchant from Mandalay. Some small-scale unlicensed miners have been arrested, he added.
According to Kachin State’s Ministry of Mines 36 major private companies are trying to resume jade mining at 15,638 worksites.
The jade market in Mandalay has also been hard hit, as its supply of raw jade from Kachin State has been cut off.
“Some merchants are here are hopeful the market will open soon, but others have given up and returned to their homes,” said Win Bo, a merchant from Mogaung, Kachin State.
