Myanmar Spring Chronicle – March 19 Viewpoint
MoeMaKa, March 20, 2025
Armed Conflicts, Governance Breakdown, and the Rapid Depletion of Myanmar’s Natural Resources
Following the military coup that overthrew the elected NLD-led government in 2020, armed resistance escalated as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) were formed to counter the military junta. This has reignited a full-scale civil war in Myanmar.
Since 2021, newly formed PDF groups and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that have provided them with training and weapons have significantly increased their military strength. For the first time in decades, these resistance forces have achieved notable military successes. More than four years after the coup, Myanmar’s territorial map reveals that resistance-controlled areas now exceed those under the military junta’s control.
While the resistance groups have gained territorial control, they face challenges in managing natural resources sustainably. The lack of effective governance in these areas has led to unregulated exploitation of resources, primarily for funding the armed struggle, but with little oversight or long-term planning for public benefit.
The Connection Between War and Resource Exploitation
Key resource extraction sites are closely linked to ongoing conflicts. These include:
- Gold mining along rivers in Sagaing Region, Kachin State, and Mandalay Region
- Jade mining in Hpakant, Kachin State
- Rare earth mining in northern Kachin State
- Illegal logging in Sagaing Region and Kachin State
- Unregulated oil extraction in Magway Region
- Precious stone mining in Mogok, Mandalay Region
The large-scale extraction and smuggling of these natural resources not only result in irreversible environmental damage but also provide financial fuel for the armed conflict. Reports indicate that both armed groups and local businesses operate within a system where taxes or permits are paid to controlling forces to continue extraction.
The Consequences of Resource Mismanagement
A recent investigative article, “Behind the Ayeyarwaddy Dubai: Unregulated Oil Fields in Magway Region,” suggested that aerial attacks on these sites may have been triggered by revelations of their mismanagement. Critics argue that revenue generated from resource extraction is not being used transparently. While funding the resistance is a priority, corruption and mismanagement threaten the credibility of the revolution.
Additionally, unregulated logging has led to deforestation in Sagaing and Kachin, affecting local water sources. A recent conflict in Kutkai Township saw local villagers protesting against gold mining operations permitted by the MNDAA, resulting in the military opening fire, killing five and injuring six.
Jade mining in Hpakant has reached unprecedented levels. With KIA now in control of the region, jade extraction has intensified. Reports indicate that even religious and burial grounds are being mined, while local communities feel powerless to intervene. Before the coup, jade extraction was dominated by military-affiliated companies and ethnic armed groups. Now, KIA allows mining but regulates it by leasing equipment from former military-linked companies, ensuring they still profit indirectly.
The Need for Sustainable Management
Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and Shan State are experiencing rapid environmental degradation due to unregulated extraction. The long-term consequences—such as deforestation, water shortages, rising temperatures, and ecological destruction—will extend far beyond the political crisis.
As the war takes precedence over all else, calls for responsible resource management are often disregarded. However, the depletion of natural resources will have lasting consequences for future generations, making it imperative for all stakeholders to address this issue collectively.