“We have reported to the state government several times. It didn’t do anything. We will gather [signatures] from the public next week and submit it to Naypyidaw. If the State (union government) doesn’t solve this, we will stage a protest,” said U Zaw Naing Oo, owner of We Mon factory which is located near the antimony refinery plants.

Residents living near the antimony refinery plants claimed that they are suffering from coughing, dry mouth, and dizziness after inhaling the foul odor from the plants and grasses have also withered and they can no longer use the wells near the plants.

“We used to use the rainwater in the past but we can’t use it anymore due to the emission of odor and dust from the plants. We feel dizzy and our mouths became dry and we became thirsty as soon as we smell [the odor]. It’s very dangerous. Respective department have inspected it but there aren't any development” said Nai Thein Han, who lives near the plant.

The Mon State Minister of Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win said the ministry has instructed Myanmar Sun Zaw Antimony Refinery Plant to upgrade the air emission control equipment and Myanmar Shin Shin Antimony Refinery Plant to make a hole in the chimney in order to easily inspect the fumes since March 7.

“If the surrounding areas can smell the odor, we should have been able to smell it more inside the plants. We were invited to go inside the plants. When we went inside, we couldn’t smell the odor. No matter how the plant tries to prevent the odor from escaping, we should be able to smell it in the plant’s surroundings,” said Dr Min Kyi Win.

He added that the local residents need to show concrete evidence of whether or not the odor is being emitted from the antimony refinery plants.

There are six antimony refinery plants in the Mawlamyine Industrial Zone and three plants have been allowed to run on a trial-basic since the end of 2017 after they submitted the environment management plan.