Pollution from copper mining in Northern Laos destroying local livelihoods
A company operating a copper mine in northern Laos’ Oudomxay province is polluting the local environment and destroying the livelihoods of residents, according to villagers, who have called for officials to investigate the firm.
A resident of Sawang village, in Oudomxay’s Namo district, told RFA’s Lao Service that domestic firm CNP Exploration Mining and Import-Exports Company had been digging for copper in the area, ruining the local water.
“Villagers in the district are suffering because the … company mining copper is creating runoff in the water, making it dirty and muddy—villagers cannot use it,” the resident said, speaking to RFA on condition of anonymity.
“No fish can be found, the company is cutting all of the big trees in the area, and erosion is destroying local stream banks,” he said.
“I would like the relevant provincial officials to investigate this issue.”
