Overlooked and Undermined: Communities Affected by Jade Mining Operations in Myanmar, and the Responsibilities of Companies Providing Machinery

Since early 2000s, the dramatically increased use of heavy mining machinery in Myanmar has enabled the extraction of minerals at an unprecedented speed. Impacts on local communities in the country’s jade extraction area, where mining plays a key role in what observers have called “the world’s longest running civil war”, have been widespread. 1 This report presents findings of research conducted on Myanmar’s mining sector and its impacts on local communities. It also examines the extent of companies’ responsibilities regarding their customers and end users of their products based on international norms on business and human rights - specifically as regards the sale of mining machinery to high-risk contexts such as Myanmar.