Letpadaung Copper Mine, Large copper mine in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.
The Letpadaung Mine is a large copper operation in Salingyi Township, run jointly by Wanbao Mining Ltd and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited. The site contains substantial ore deposits that are extracted through open-pit mining methods.
Canadian company Ivanhoe held mining rights beginning in 1994 before transferring them to current operators. Significant mining operations commenced after initial agreements in 2010 and reached full production capacity by 2016.
The displacement of a Buddhist pagoda and confrontations with monks in 2012 generated strong reactions in this religious community.
The site is an active mining operation with security restrictions and limited visitor access. Check with local authorities about current access conditions, as regulations may change based on operations or safety concerns.
Local farmers have reported significant water contamination affecting their crops from mining operations. This ongoing dispute highlights tensions between resource extraction and agricultural livelihoods in the region.
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