Myanmar: Mawlamyine Cement ordered to redo environmental study

The government of Mon State, Myanmar, has ordered another environmental impact assessment on Mawlamyine Cement Ltd (MCL), according to Soe Naing, head of the Mon State's environmental conservation department.

“Ohn Win, minister for natural resources and environmental conservation, directed us to confirm the report was conducted by a third-party organisation. So we will have to conduct an assessment again. Residents don't want it to be powered by coal. The factory has to control smoke and reduce the use of coal. Another thing is that they must run a trial test and they have to submit the data afterwards,” Mr Nang said.

Soe Naing said the country's environment agency would close down the plant if it failed to meet environmental standards.The site currently has a 40-year operational licence.