THE ENVIRONMENT IN KACHIN STATE: THE MIXED BLESSING OF MINERAL WEALTH

Mine Naung, in Mohnyin district of Myanmar’s Kachin state, is home to hundreds of gold mines. Residents of the small village say they are at odds over the industry that can uncover vast wealth, but at a cost to the local environment and traditions.

HARD WORK FOR LITTLE OR NO PAY IN KACHIN

Work at one of the many gold mines in Mine Naung, in the Mohnyin district of Myanmar’s Kachin state, is grueling, dangerous and pays little—when it pays at all.

DRUG PROBLEMS FOLLOW KACHIN’S GOLD RUSH

Within Mohnyin, Mine Naung village—the district’s gold mining center—has the highest concentration of drug users.

MINING THREATENS FISH AND WILDLIFE

A thriving gold mining industry has decimated the environment in Mohnyin district in Myanmar’s Kachin state, while taking a heavy toll on the health and livelihoods of residents of Mine Naung village, who say authorities have done little to address the problem.