The Karen National Union (KNU) has suspended the feasibility study for the Lwin Mountain Cement factory being carried out by the Phyu Min Tun Company, near Min Lwin Mountain, in Thaton Township, Mon State, Myanmar.

The site is regarded as a sacred site to local villagers and while the KNU had originally given approval for the study it has now changed its mind after the company failed to get back in contact with the KNU about alleged false statements, reported the Mizzima local news service.

Local activists formed the Min Lwin Area Natural Environment Protection Committee and surveyed residents living in 14 villages close to the proposed site of the cement factory in the foothills of the Min Lwin Mountain on 9 and 10 April.

After they submitted a report of their findings to the KNU on 21 April, the KNU informed the Phyu Min Tun Co of its decision to suspend the project on 22 April.

Naw Eh Phaw Wah of the Min Lwin Area Natural Environment Protection Committee said: “Our committee is very happy about the KNU’s decision to suspend [the project]. Actually, the KNU already knew the views of the local residents on discontinuing this project since a meeting that was held in Mawlamyaing on 14 March. That’s why I think they have decided to suspend it.”

She added that local residents welcomed the KNU’s decision, but that they were still worried because the Phyu Min Tun Co has continued to carry out mineral testing on Min Lwin Mountain.

The Phyu Min Tun Company was only given permission to carry out mineral testing at Min Lwin Mountain from 22 April 2015 to 21 April 2016.