Extracting the Ore of Life

At the Monywa Copper Mine smelting plant in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar， dozens of local workers are busy on the production line. The copper mine draws from four ore bodies respectively located at Letpaduang， Sabetaung， Sabetaung South and Kyisintaung. Investment in Letpaduang Copper Mine alone exceeded US$1 billion for a production cycle of 30 years. The project has been funded and managed by Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Company of China North Industries Corporation （NORINCO）.

“We intend to create an economic sphere of integration around the copper mine to share the dividends of development with the local communities and farmers，” said Luo Daqing， general manager of Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Company. “The common goal of all stake-holders from the very beginning has been common prosperity from copper.”

In 2017， Letpaduang Copper Mine produced more than 60，000 tons of cathode copper， generating over US$14 million of revenues for the Myanmar government. The project employs 3，462 Myanmar workers， who account for 87 percent of the projects total work force.

Room for Growth for Everyone

The colossal mining crater reaches 120 meters deep. Giant engineering vehicles climb zigzagging roads up the slope to transport copper ore.

In the ore yard， the ore is crushed and ground to separate the valuable minerals from waste. It is then concentrated using mineral flotation. The final refining process uses electrolysis to extract the metallic copper.

“This copper mine has adopted hydrometallurgical extraction， a process internationally recognized as the most environmentally friendly，” Luo remarked. “It has obtained international qualification certification for environmental control.”

“After arriving at the factory in the morning， I gather everyone to remind them of production safety and to hand out assignments for the day，” revealed Saiaungbo， a local employee. “If a mechanical failure is found， we organize on-site maintenance if possible. If its a major problem， we report to the engineering maintenance department.”

In 2012， Saiaungbo began to work in the copper mine after graduating from Yangon University of Science and Technology， where he had majored in minerals. He has since become adept at product packaging， data statistics and extraction in the production workflow. “After studying geological principles at university for five years， I participated in three-month written training and a six-month on-site training session at the copper mine，” he noted. “It takes experience to operate advanced equipment. The Chinese engineers have been patiently teaching us all the details， and I make sure to operate everything according to standard procedures.”

Thanks to his knowledge and experience， Saiaungbo has been promoted to lead a team of 58 workers completing the entire production process from extraction to copper stripping and product packaging. Saiaungbo is very proud of his performance. “Working at Monywa Copper Mine， we not only have access to advanced technology and better income—there is room for growth for everyone，” he stressed. “Im now a Class-VI technician. In the smelting factory， there are two Class-II local managers. The company has a scientific and logical performance appraisal mechanism.”

Saiaungbo also highlighted the fact that Myanmar lacks a mining professionals training base. Its few mining professionals emerged from metallurgical and electromechanical industries. Only by securing employment with a big company can they get access to professional training， including overseas studies. Letpaduang Copper Mine employs more than 3，000 local employees like Saiaungbo.

Unprecedented Development

“Welcome to my new home！” Tuntun exclaimed， as guests arrived at his abode in a courtyard surrounded by bamboo hedges. On the wall was a picture of him at a session promoting people-to-people bonds during the Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation in Beijing last year. “That was my first trip to China，” said Tuntun， “I saw the fruits of the development of China and learned about its advanced concept of development.”

Tuntun was born and raised in a local village. In 2011， his family was resettled in a new village due to construction of the copper mine. In 2013， he bought a Chinese-made pick-up truck to transport construction materials for the project.

His truck was parked under a mango tree in the courtyard. On the left side of the yard， traditional Myanmar Long-gyi clothing hung on a laundry rack. On the right was a brand-new two-story house. Tuntuns wife was enjoying the courtyard with her child. “The Copper Mine has helped me build such a nice new home，” said Tuntun， “Im quite happy with this new life！”

In 2017， Tuntun registered a company and expanded business from transportation to project contracting and more sectors. He is now working with his fellow villagers to further expand his business.

“If Wanbao had not suggested that we launch this transport business， we would have probably wasted our land compensation money long ago，” admitted Tuntun with a smile. “Now I have two trucks， two loaders and an SUV. I didnt ever dream of this life with such development before！”

With a new home， a new job and a happy life， Tuntun is a microcosm of local villagers who have reached prosperity thanks to the copper mine. Wanbao supplied the resettlement village with water and electricity. It also helped villagers secure employment and supported the establishment of a series of small and medium-sized projects such as transport teams， construction teams， cement pipe plants and breeding farms. A mining district centered around the copper mine has gradually emerged.

Tuntuns sister-in-law works at the Letpaduang Copper Mine after taking a Chinese training course for the local employees. She wrote her name in Chinese and conversed with Chinese reporters in Chinese： “Yiyi is my Chinese name. I used to be a janitor， and now Im a warehouse keeper. In the future， Id like to become a manager.”

“What the villagers want most is improved skills，” opined Luo Daqing. “We have helped the villagers learn skills， start businesses and gradually discover new avenues to wealth so that local communities will continue to improve. We have sincerely worked to ensure that everybody affected can acquire a happier life.”

Building Closer Bonds

Shortly after 8 a.m.， Grandma Daengkhin arrived at the medical service station of Pa Laung Village. According to schedule， the mobile medical team of the copper mine would visit the station that day. She was hoping for an eye examination.

“Several medical teams tour more than 50 villages around the copper mine year-round，” said Ming Ji， a doctor on the medical team. “We usually see 50 patients in smaller villages every day， and 100 in larger villages. We can visit each village station once every 10 days.”

“I had a check-up last week， and Im here today to see a doctor for more medicine，” said Grandpa Doda， who was suffering from high blood pressure. “In the past， we had to travel either by boat to Monywa， or by motorbike to the the mine hospital to see a doctor. It was not easy because my children were working in town， and my wife and I were left behind. The medical teams visits to our village have made things a lot easier. We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts.”

After seeing the doctor， the villagers were not in a rush to leave. They sat with the Chinese team to chat about various subjects from peanuts harvest to new vehicles and schools their grandchildren were attending， as if they were family.

Grandma Dan Phwo was from a neighboring village. She sat next to Song Wu， the Chinese interpreter. A few years earlier， Dan Phwo opposed the construction of the copper mine. She had blocked construction vehicles on roads near the project. After development of a series of community projects related to the copper mine， she began welcoming the “outsiders” because of the changes they brought to the area. She grabbed Songs hand and exclaimed： “I heard youre not married yet. Would you like a girl from our village to be your wife？” All the villagers and the Chinese team laughed together.

“Mutual understanding will bring us closer together and further common development of the Belt and Road，” commented Luo Daqing.

At the apex of the mining area， a panoramic view of the surrounding green paddy fields dotted with yellow sunflowers and golden Buddhist pagodas can be seen. Several villages hidden in the lush woods hint at a tranquility full of vitality.

Then Nyuo， chief of Pa Laung Village， described Letpaduang Copper Mine as a popular neighbor. “We see a bright future with our Chinese friends here！” he said.