Myanmar’s top Catholic prelate blamed “greed” and “injustice” for the landslide that killed almost 200 people at a jade mine in the country’s northern Kachin State on July 2.
The landslide, that killed at least 174 miners, was triggered by heavy rains and swept through the site in the jade-rich area of Hpakant in Kachin State.
“Those who died were not only buried under a landslide of the mountain but by the landslide of injustice,” said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon in a statement on July 4.
“Those who perished were sacrificed on the altar of greed, by utter negligence, and arrogance of companies that continue to dehumanize the poor of this land,” said the prelate.
Cardinal Bo, who is president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, noted the earlier warning of Pope Francis over the “never-ending tsunami of economic and environmental injustice against the poor all over the world.”
“In these tragic times of [coronavirus] lockdown, there cannot be a lockdown of the fire of hunger,” said the cardinal, adding that the poor were forced “to seek the crumbs of jade that fall from mega companies.”
The prelate said that as people lost their livelihood due to the pandemic, “this mine tragedy is a grim reminder of the need for sharing God given natural treasures.”
“The treasures of Myanmar belong to the people of Myanmar,” he said.
Cardinal Bo said it was not the first time the “this merciless tragedy” happened.
“If the relevant stakeholders do not respond with compassion and justice, this will not be the last time of this inhuman tragedy,” he said.
As he commended the “prompt response of authorities” to the disaster, Cardinal Bo called on the government and other stakeholders “to ensure that such tragedies do not repeat.”
“This land is blessed with natural resources to provide for all. Let this be the last tragedy,” he said.
He also called on the people to “strengthen our resolve to bring economic and ecological justice” to everyone.
Bishop Francis Daw Tang of the Diocese of Myitkyina also expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to the victims of the tragedy.
“We hope a better ecological justice will be done to the poor and the most vulnerable of our society in this region,” he said.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has also expressed her condolence over the tragedy, blaming it on joblessness. She said the victims were illegal miners.
The United Nations has already expressed “readiness” to contribute to ongoing efforts to address the needs of the affected population.
A report from Global Witness, a nonprofit dedicated to investigating corruption and environmental abuse, called the July 2 landslide “a damning indictment of the government’s failure to curb reckless and irresponsible mining practices.”
Reports said landslides and accidents have become common in Myanmar’s mines that are located in remote jungles.
In 2019, more than 50 workers were also buried in a mudslide at another jade mine in Hpakant.
In 2015, at least 113 people were killed when a hill of tailings from a jade mine, also in Hpakant, collapsed onto the huts of workers.
Myanmar produces about 70 percent of the world’s jade, and Hpakant is home to the world’s largest jade mine.
Global Witness estimated that the jade industry was worth about US$31 billion in 2014, nearly half of the Myanmar’s official GDP that year.
The U.S. State Department alleged in a 2018 report that the gem mining industry in Kachin State employs forced laborers.
