The jade mining operation in Lonkhin/ Hpakant Gems Tract has caused significant environmental damage. To address this impact, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) were prepared by a team led by Australianbased consultants Coffey Myanmar Limited and Valentis Services Limited (Coffey-Valentis), in partnership with local company Geosystems Engineering Myanmar. The final EMPs were submitted to the Environmental Conservation Department through the Myanmar Gems Enterprise.
C o f f e y M y a n m a r L i m i t e d a n d Valentis Services Limited (CoffeyValentis), together with Geosystems Engineering Myanmar, won the tender for the preparation of Environmental Management Plan for Lonkhin/ Hpakant Gems Tract. Coffey-Valentis and Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association signed the agreement for the preparation of the EMPs for the Lonkhin/Hpakant Gems Tract.
Union Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Ohn Win said, “The Myanmar Government is committed to protecting the environment and creating sustainable communities. The utilization of natural resources shall be managed in such a way that is kept for the next generations to come, the extraction shall be done in a sustainable manner, and that is why the Ministry has set the goal for the future. The jade sector is important for future economic development of the country. Preparing the EMPs is the very first step to achieve future goals that is to significantly address the environment and social impacts of jade mining.”
Each of the EMPs has three sections: The first part sets the context in terms of the laws and rules for environmental management, the existing environment and impact assessment, and the environmental framework. The second part provides the measures that miners should implement to improve environmental performance through to the steps for proper mine closure and rehabilitation. The third part focuses on implementation, outlining the performance criteria for determining successful implementation of the EMP. “The EMPs are practical and appropriate for Myanmar. They feature international standards and good practices that mining companies can easily implement. The guidelines will definitely help improve operations throughout the full mining cycle, from site exploration to mine closure and rehabilitation,” said Aung Nyunt Thein, the Managing Director of Myanmar Gems Enterprise.