Quarry mining at Taungup Twsp site blamed for cracks at nearby pagoda and monastery

By DMG 14 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
14 October 2021, Taungup

Quarry mining in Taungup Township, Arakan State, has caused cracks at a nearby monastery and pagoda, according to U Wunna Thiri, abbot of the Thayet Taung Monastery.

The mine near the monastery has been operated for more than three years and cracks have appeared at some monastery buildings due to frequent blast-mining at the quarry, the abbot told DMG.

“They [once] detonated about 50 explosives at one time. There were cracks and some pieces were broken off of the buildings and we have to support the pillars so as not to collapse the buildings,” he said.

“We have not reported to relevant authorities about the situation,” he added.

The quarry is located about 1,300 feet from the monastery.

Ko Nay Lin Aung, a resident of Taungup, said: “The quarry mine is about two furlongs’ distance from the pagoda. It is near a 100-bed hospital in Taungup. I was told to come and see the damage at the monastery due to the vibrations from the explosions at the quarry mine. I saw cracks in the walls and roofs.”

U Wunna Thiri, the local abbot, has called on authorities to ban quarry mining in the area due to the destructive potential of blast mining to nearby buildings like the monastery.

DMG made several phone calls to U Than Htwe, the Taungup Township administrator, seeking comment on the quarry mining practices in the township, but he could not be reached.