Research Study Unveils Factors that Stimulate Illegal Gold Mining

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The recent research report published by the National University of Singapore suggests that profitability from illegal gold mining activity tends to motivate people in Myanmar to indulge in such acts. The results were compiled from data obtained by interviewing 226 people engaged in gold mining activities at sites sites along the Chindwin River and the Uru River basins in the Homalin township in northern Myanmar.

According to the study report, illegal gold mining has been on the rise in the country in recent years. To counter this, the government has launched a series of initiatives to deter people from unregulated operations. However, the report noted that the enforcement activities have led to increased cost levels.

Also, the offers by government for alternative agriculture-based livelihood have not been effective in discouraging people from involving in illegal gold mining activities. As majority of the miners already balance mining with agriculture, the government’s plans to provide agricultural lands to illegal miners are unlikely to yield material impact.

A good majority of illegal miners operate on mine sites abandoned by formal sector. By continuing to allow illegal mining in these sites, the government could at least prevent the expansion of informal mining to forests and wetlands, the report noted.