"Since Myanmar’s 2021 coup, lead mining in the country’s southern Tanintharyi region has exploded, with the number of mining sites more than doubling as lawlessness enables rapid expansion.

The environmental impact has been severe, with polluted rivers, dying crops, and communities losing access to clean water.

Armed groups and junta officials profit from the boom by collecting bribes and taxes, turning mining into a revenue source across all control zones.

Environmentalists warn that without immediate action and sustainable planning, the region’s ecosystems and natural resources may be permanently lost."

Dawei Watch reports for Mongabay April 23, 2025. [2]