Major events of Gullu Mual (Mwetaung) nickel exploration projects

04 September 2013: The following is a short record of major events pertaining to the China-Burma venture over a mining contract of nickel found in Gullu Mual, aka Mwe Hill or Mwetaung in Burmese, of Tedim Township, Chin State.

• Initial studies were conducted by the Mineral Exploration Corporation of the Ministry of Mines in 1965-66, followed by the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department in 1973, 1982, and 1999.
• The Kingbao (Jinbao) Mining Ltd of China signed an agreement on nickel mineral exploration and feasibility study with No. 3 Mining Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines of Burma in August 2005. The work could not be operated and the contract was cancelled.
• New Top Hong Group Ltd of China held a meeting at the Ministry of Mines in March 2011. A preliminary observation field trip was made in July 2011.
• Two field groups of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department launched the exploration and test of chromites at another location, west of Mwe Hill beginning on 30 July 2011.
• North Mining Investment Co Ltd of China, China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering & Construction Co Ltd and Guiling Research Institute of Geology for Mineral Resources held discussions on exploration and production of the deposit.
• Chin MP Pu Zung Hlei Thang raised a question at the second regular session of the first Amyotha Hluttaw at Nay Pyi Taw in September 2011.
• North Mining Investment Co. Ltd is incorporated under the Burma Companies Act by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development in May 2012.
• North Mining Investment Co. Ltd submitted its feasibility study reports on ‘Mwetaung Nickel Smelting Project’ to the Ministries of Mines, and Environmental Conservation and Forest in February and March 2013.
• U Kyaw Nyein, Chin State Minister of Forestry and Mines said a proposal for mining work permits has been submitted to the Union Government early 2013.
• Community-based campaigns and demonstrations against the projects have been active since January 2013.
• Representatives of four Chin political parties, Chin National Party (CNP), Chin Progressive Party (CPP), Asho Chin National Party (ACNP) and Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP), conduct a survey on the projects with local communities in September 2013. 
• About 100 people from political parties, university students, community and civil society organizations, and media as well as religious groups discussed issues related to the Gullu nickel projects in Kalaymyo of Sagaing Region on 3 September 2013.
• Based on their findings, representatives of the Chin political parties will discuss the issues with the government of Chin State on 7 September 2013.

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