Coal extraction company gets the green light to operate in Shan State next year despite polluting the air, land and water for nearly two decades.

A coal mining company with a long, spotty history operating in northern Shan State recently had its license renewed for next year.

Residents of Nam Ma village-tract in Hsipaw Township agreed to Ngwe Yi Pale Company operating in the area next year providing certain conditions were met.

During a recent meeting, officials from the coal extraction company promised to complete several public works within the first six months of 2019.

“According to the agreement, if the company fails to complete the projects it must immediately stop the extraction of coal in the area,” Sai Hser Lu said.

Locals requested a ten million Myanmar kyat fund (US$6,388), an electric generator, and in each of the seven villages located in the village-tract: roadworks and a new hall.

“From the company’s point of view, we asked for too much. In previous agreements, we found the company never fulfilled our demands on schedule. For example, some projects that should have taken a month to complete weren’t finished until four or six months later,” Sai Hser Lu said.

Ngwe Yi Pale Company began operating in the village-tract in 2000. Since then it has expanded mining in the area despite mounting opposition from locals.

The coal extraction has damaged paddy fields, contaminated irrigation sources like the Na Ma stream and polluted the air, affecting over 3,000 people, according to a 2017 report by Na Ma farmers.

A massive offensive by the Myanmar Army to drive ceasefire group Shan State Progressive Party from the area in 2016 was related to an expansion of Ngwe Yi Pale Company’s operations in the village-tract, according to Shan Human Rights Foundation.