Chinese mining company operating in Sagaing Region accused of supporting military crimes

Residents of Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, and local human rights groups told DVB that the Chinese company Wanbao Mining Ltd. has committed human rights violations with the support of the regime. 

“Wanbao supports the regime [forces] when it raids villages,” a Salingyi resident told DVB. Wanbao Mining Ltd. operates the Letpadaung copper mine in Salingyi, which is located 27 miles (43 km) south of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.

Salingyi residents told DVB that the military has carried out operations and fired artillery on the town from the Letpadaung copper mine. 

“[Wanbao] is a project that provides full support, supplies, and communications to the military,” Chaw Su Han, a political activist living in Sagaing Region, told DVB.

Six civilians were killed and a hospital was damaged by airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Taze Township, which is located 69 miles (111 km) north of Monywa and 89 miles (143.2 km) south of Salingyi, on Nov. 24.

Thirteen Salingyi residents have been killed in 17 airstrikes, 11 artillery, and three arson attacks, from January to October this year, according to DVB data.

At least 432 people have been killed in 294 airstrikes across Sagaing Region since March 28. Airstrikes have killed 1,527 people and injured 3,462 nationwide since the March earthquake when rigorous documentation began.

Since 2021, at least 1,500 homes in 15 villages around Salingyi have been destroyed or damaged by arson attack, according to DVB data. 

Research organization Data for Myanmar has documented 88,373 homes destroyed by arson attacks carried out by pro-regime forces nationwide—most of which have occurred in Sagaing Region.

In addition to these attacks, Chaw Su Han added that 12 families have been evicted from their homes without compensation when Wanbao Mining Ltd.

expanded the Letpadaung mine for security reasons following the 2021 military coup.