Mizzima

According to the trade figures released by the Military Council’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the export of minerals including jade fell by about 28% in the first three months of this fiscal year.

The export value of Myanmar mineral in the first three months of the 2023-24 fiscal year from 1 April to 30 June was US$72.795 million and it was about US$27 million less than the corresponding period in the last fiscal year.

In the corresponding period in the last fiscal year Myanmar exported minerals worth US$ 100.294 million.

NGO Global Witness urged the international community to boycott gems and jade mined in Myanmar as the proceeds from the sale of these precious stones could be used in financing the illegal activities of the Military Council and they called for banning the export of these precious stones and minerals.

This organization urged the global community to ban the export of these gemstones and jade mined in Myanmar and the companies and buyers should avoid buying these minerals from Myanmar.

Global Witness said that between 70% and 90% of all jade mined in Hpakant, Kachin State were exported through the border illegally before the coup and also most of the high quality imperial jades are being exported to China by crossing the border illegally now.

A press release issued by the Burma Campaign UK says that Myanmar Army fully controlled the mining and trading of the gemstones mined in Myanmar and Myanmar could earn about US$2 billion from this business annually after they seized power by coup on 1 February 2021.

From the proceeds from the sale of these gem stones the Myanmar Army could buy arms and ammunition to be used in human rights violations in the country.

The minerals produced by the Myanmar mining industry include gold, jade, pearls, diamonds, lead, tin, antimony, silver, copper, zinc, coal and other minerals.