The area in question is situated at the origins of Ayeyawady, Mu and Chindwin Rivers.
Environmentalists are raising concerns about the study by the Russian company. Initial assessment by the environmentalists indicated that the local people living along the river could see a great danger resulting from toxic chemicals in the exploration of the mineral resources.
“The survey site is at Nantdagun forest reserve along Nantsarsi creek. There are five villages with 300 households beside the creek. The villagers panned for gold after removing earth and stones from minerals coming from the twenty-foot deep. After that the substances were chemically analyzed. When contacting the Russian Embassy to Myanmar, it replied that being Noble Gold was true, but did not know what process it was doing. But Myanmar Investment Commission refused as to the Noble Gold,” said a local resident.
“The Noble Gold started in 2009. We heard of the Noble Gold linking Htoo Company to explore titanium. There might be about 25,000 acres of land. Enquires are being made as to whether or not Noble Gold joining Htoo Company. Titanium is very expensive in the world. It is used in making missiles. It was learnt that Noble Gold was manufacturing missiles. As far as I know, the Noble Gold’s survey contract will be due in March in 2014,” said local resident Thein Tun.
“I have heard of about that. I am still gathering evidences. If I have complete facts and data in hand, I will submit them to the parliament,” said Upper House MP Dr Myint Naing of Sagaing Region.
“I don’t know of the links about that. Russian groups were exploring rare earth and uranium since then. Htoo Company is also there. I don’t know exactly where it is. If acids are used, the local people living along the river can face a great danger. Mercury will also be used,” said environmentalist Win Myo Thu.
source: Eleven Myanmar
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