Dangerously high levels of mercury and other heavy metals have been detected in the river as mining goes unchecked in the wake of the February 2021 coup.
The quality of the water in the Ayeyarwady River and its tributaries has declined significantly due to unchecked gold mining since the military seized power four years ago, according to a new report by environmental monitor group Myanmar Resource Watch.
The report, released on February 22, says that rampant post-coup gold extraction has drastically driven up lead, mercury, cadmium, and magnesium levels in the river, raising serious environmental and health concerns.
Citing the group’s own research, the report says that laboratory analyses of 36 water samples reveal heavy metal levels far exceeding safe drinking standards, especially in areas near the river’s headwaters.
Water samples were collected in both regime- and resistance-held territory and showed especially high levels of mercury, a Myanmar Resource Watch researcher told Myanmar Now.
