Recently, on 2/7, heavy rain caused mud at the jade mine in the town of Hpakant, Kachin state of Myanmar to collapse, burying at least 113 miners.
Myanmar is one of the world’s leading gem exporters, estimating that the mining industry generates more than US $ 30 billion annually. Open-cast jade mines create numerous pits in Hpakant, giving the area a moon-like appearance.
Hpakant - the capital of jade
Located in the northernmost of Myanmar, right next to the Uyu River in Hpakant town, Mohnyin district, Kachin state, Hpakant is considered by gem merchants as the capital of jade with jadeite jade, the best quality. on this earth ...
This is not only a place where gem merchants come to hunt for jade, but also a tourist destination to challenge visitors. According to the rare tourists who have ever been to the "jade capital", the most ideal time to go to Hpakant is from November to April every year because from the end of May onwards, the tropical rain is tough. Classification from day to day will turn the roads into muddy rivers that even four-wheeled terrain vehicles have to give up. All movement is based solely on domesticated elephants.
After the Myanmar Government abolished the visa regime for ASEAN countries, the entry of tourists from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines ... was easier than before. In addition to air travel, visitors can also travel to Myanmar via Yunnan (China), Bokeo (Laos), or Chieng Mai (Thailand).
The road from Lashio city, located between the border town of Monghpyak to Hpakant, is no shortage of dirt roads, potholes and buffalo potholes, challenging curious visitors. The two sides of the road are full of primeval forests, many big tree trunks the size of 3-4 people hugging, reaching straight to the sky, the branches are luxuriant. Occasionally I saw some bare roofs, lying in the mysterious blue.
Where death lurks
Myanmar produces about 70% of global jade. But 80% of the exploited jade is smuggled abroad, mainly to China, meaning the country loses hundreds of millions of dollars in income tax each year.
An investigation by the Guardian newspaper in the UK about Myanmar jade mining activities in February 2019 revealed the hidden corners of the industry with a series of issues such as corruption, human rights violations, and devastation. environment. Besides, the risk of landslide is often life-threatening for workers exploiting jade.
Dozens of people die each year when exploiting jade here. Mining collapses frequently occur in the jade mining area of Kachin state. More than 50 people died in last year’s mine collapse and dozens were swept away in 2018. At least 120 people were buried after the 2015 mudslide landslide.
