Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Myanmar Tribe Protests Chinese-Linked Lead Mine Plans
Imagine a company wants to dig up land where a tribe has lived for over 300 years to get lead, used in batteries.
The tribe is worried because digging for lead can pollute the water and soil, making people sick, especially kids.
They haven't been asked about it and are worried about losing their land and future.
They're protesting, but it's dangerous because Myanmar is in a civil war.
They're concerned the mining company, with a Chinese partner, doesn't care about their health or the environment, only about making money.
The tribe fears environmental damage and the loss of their homes.
Pradawng tribespeople in Myanmar are protesting a planned lead mining project by a Myanmar firm and its Chinese partner.
The tribe fears environmental damage, health risks, and the loss of their ancestral land due to the mining operation.
Heavy machinery has been installed despite a lack of consultation with the Pradawng community.
Myanmar's civil war and lack of central authority make the situation ripe for exploitation by unregulated miners.
China accounts for nearly 98% of Myanmar's lead ore and concentrate exports.
- Who
- The Pradawng tribe, Four Star Company, and a Chinese partner.
- What
- A lead mining project is planned, which the Pradawng tribe is protesting.
- When
- Heavy machinery began to be installed in February, and protests are ongoing.
- Where
- Pekon township, Shan state, Myanmar.
- Why
- The Pradawng people are protesting the lead mining project due to concerns about environmental damage, health risks, and lack of consultation.
Pradawng Tribe
Mining Companies
Lead Mining Project
Pradawng Tribe
Pradawng people: Concerned about the potential environmental damage, health risks, and loss of ancestral land due to the lead mining project.
Mining Companies
Four Star Company (and possibly its Chinese partner): No clear public stance, but implied interest in resource extraction and profit from the lead mine.
- Tribe
- Pradawng (sub-tribe of the Kayan ethnic group)
- Location
- Pekon township, Shan state, Myanmar
- Estimated Tribe Population
- 3,000
- Tribe's lineage in the area
- 381 years
- Export to China
- Lead ore and concentrate
- Lead exports to China in 2023
- $20 million