Zomis around the World Protest against Mining in Chin State ~ KHALVONTAWI

ZOMIS WORLDWIDE have strongly opposed the Mwetaung Nickel Project in Chin State, Myanmar. On 9th July 2013, around 500 Zomis gathered in New Delhi, India, to protest against the project, which was organised by Zomi Inkuan (Zomi Community) Delhi. The protestors condemned the Myanmar military-backed Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and North Mining Investment Company Ltd for attempting to exploit their ancestral land without their permission.

During the protest, Zomi demonstrators held placards and chanted slogans such as “Gullu Mual Nickel Project – Stop! Stop!”, “Mwetaung Si-mankengh – Chiahchin zat! Chiahchin zat!” (in Burmese), “Myanmar Neo-Colonialism Down Down”, “Chinese Imperialism Down Down”, “Zomi, Zomi Rise Up, Rise Up”, and “Zogam, Zogam Stand Up, Stand Up” as they marched along Jantar Mantar road in New Delhi.

Mr. Neng Za Dong, Secretary of ZID, led the march, while Rev. Nang Suan Lian opened with a prayer. The protesters also sang “Zogam Lapi” (the Zomi anthem) to express solidarity with the Zomis who have long suffered from religious persecution, economic exploitation, and political exclusion in Myanmar. A statement of protest was read out in Zomi by Rev. TK Lian, in Burmese by Ms. Cing San Lun, and in English by Mr. Khai Bawi, President of ZID.

Gullu Mual (“Gullu” means Snakehead and “Mual” means Mountain) is located near Dimzang, a Zomi village east of Tedim in Chin State, about 15 km from Kalemyo in Sagaing division and 69 km from Tedim. Myanmar first explored the Mwetaung project in 1964-65. In 2005, China and Myanmar signed an agreement allowing nickel exploration in northwestern Myanmar’s Mwetaung region, where Chin State and Sagaing division meet. That same year, Gullu Mual was secretly sold to a Chinese company.

A Zomi activist in Yangon, Mr. Lian Tuang, stated: “Gullu Mual is 8 km long, 2 km wide, and 3,000 feet above sea level. The mountain is home to 14 villages, with a population of over 12,000. Around 70,000 acres of farmland will eventually be affected, and these fields supply food to cities in the mainland.”

To gain approval for the project, Myanmar’s government has promised USD 500,000 for Chin State’s development. However, there is no clarity on how or when the funds will be provided, raising concerns about transparency.

Nickel Deposits Distribution as Reported by the Myanmar Government.

According to Myanmar’s Ministry of Mines, six ore deposits have been found within a 10 km area of Mwetaung. The most significant ones, Ore Body No. 4 and No. 6, contain an estimated 30 million and 80 million tons of nickel ore, respectively, with nickel content ranging from 1% to 1.19%.

The Chinese company Zijin Mining Group states on its website that the Mwetaung Nickel Project is a joint venture between Jinshan (Hong Kong) International Mining Company (a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group) and Wanbao Mining Ltd (a subsidiary of China North Industries Corporation). Zijin owns 90% of the venture, and Wanbao holds the remaining 10%. The joint venture holds 80% of the project’s interest, while the Myanmar government holds 20%.

Gullu Mual is a major lateritic nickel deposit with 36.14 million tons of ore containing more than 1% nickel, with an average grade of 1.483%. The project’s feasibility study was conducted by China ENFI Engineering Co., Ltd.

In a statement, ZID referred to the 1947 Panglong Agreement, which states that Zogam (Chin State) should be under the governance of the Zomi people rather than Myanmar’s Parliament. However, their indigenous rights have been repeatedly violated. The agreement grants Zomis the right to self-governance and control over their own affairs, but these rights have never been fully implemented.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Articles 25-27) affirms the rights of indigenous people over their land and resources. ZID stated that until Zomis can exercise their democratic rights and have a say in the management of their land and resources, Myanmar, China, or any private company should not be allowed to explore Gullu Mual.

Myanmar’s government has tried to gain support for the mining project by offering development incentives, such as roads, hospitals, schools, and drinking water facilities. It has also promised millions in funding and job opportunities through NMI Ltd. However, many Zomis believe these promises are meant to mislead them.

NMI Presentation on Flora in Gullu Mual.

On 28th April 2013, the World Zomi Congress condemned China and Myanmar for exploiting Chin State’s resources. In May, a Zomi anti-mining group in Tedim met with Myanmar government officials and NMI Ltd representatives, urging them to stop the project. On 29th June 2013, Zomis protested at the Myanmar Embassy in Washington, DC, and on 30th June, about 800 members of the Zomi Association Australia staged a demonstration at the Myanmar Embassy in Canberra.

Groups such as the Chinland Natural Resources Watch Group, Chin Mothers, and Tedim Youth Fellowship have also joined the campaign against the mining project. However, similar problems persist. The Myanmar government has set up hydroelectric power projects on the Laiva River near Falam and the Ngachip River, both of which were implemented against the wishes of the local people.