Mandalay, Myanmar - Aye Mon, 30, is left alone with a two-year-old daughter after her husband and younger brother died in Myanmar's worst jade mine landslide that killed more than 170 people on Thursday.
In hopes of finding gems that might transform his future, her brother, Shwe Moe Tun, 22, had travelled more than 600km (370 miles) from his village in Monywa to Hpakant area of Kachin state in northern Myanmar, home to a secretive billion-dollar jade industry.
"My husband had been working in the jade mining business for more than 10 years. But it was the first time for my brother. It was his second working day in the mine," Aye Mon told Al Jazeera.
At least 40 jade pickers killed in the disaster at Wai Khar mine were buried on Saturday, the country's fire services department said on their Facebook page, while 77 others were interred in a mass grave on Friday.
Aye Mon's husband Soe Min, 31, and her brother were among hundreds of jade pickers at the mine when the disaster struck as heavy rains filled the mine with water, creating a lake.
A wall of the mine crashed into the lake, with the huge wave of mud resulting in the deadly landslide.
"My husband and my brother were both buried yesterday [Saturday]. I have nothing to depend on in my life. All I have left is just my two-year-old daughter," Aye Mon said.
In search of jadeite, a stone exported across the border into China, migrants from across Myanmar travel hundreds of kilometres to Hpakant, in hope of finding the overlooked pieces of jade.
The Wai Khar mine had officially shut down because of the danger of landslides, the Hpakant member of parliament, Khin Aung Myint, told Al Jazeera.
But unauthorised jade pickers, who are expected to pay a share of their earnings to rebel groups operating in the area, still flocked to the mine.
The jade industry is largely controlled by firms linked to Myanmar's powerful military and the trade is worth billions of dollars a year.
Rights group Global Witness says the trade funds fuel the armed conflict between government troops and ethnic Kachin rebels fighting for self-rule in the region.
It also said the landslide was a "damning indictment of the government's failure to curb reckless and irresponsible mining practices".
Despite the risks, thousands of workers, including Win Kyaw, are still ready to go back to the mines to scour for precious stones in desperation with hopes to strike it rich.
Officials say that makes it harder to prevent disasters like the one that occurred on Thursday."
Sad story, and some of the information in this article give you more information about "jade pickers" and the how people risk their lives to find jadeite just to make a living.
My jade associate in China was shopping for Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets for us when this happened. He was at jade carvers near the border, but still in China. He had purchased a good quantity of jadeite bangle bracelets and was getting the jadeite tested by gemologists, making certificates of gemology testing. We "shop together" on our smart phones, keep in touch, and make decisions together. Something happened, not sure exactly what, but prices changed, good quality was removed from markets, and although he had not purchased all that I wanted, he immediately shipped them by the expensive express service so they would leave the country and get to USA before something would happen to them. If customs inspection in China, then Hong Kong would seize the package they would "disappear". I received them yesterday, and in the process of leaving them out "in the open" to make sure there is not COVID-19 or other contamination before I complete the unpacking and start listing them.
You know how you feel when you order your jade online, and can't wait to receive the parcel, open it and look at it. That's how I feel. Can't wait to see what was purchased. There are some larger sizes, good for men and women who need larger sizes. I have not yet received my final prices, and when I do it will be interesting to learn if this incident has affected prices, quality, and availability. These jade mine "disasters" often happen, either by nature or politically.
And that's a reason why your Burmese jadeite is so special.
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I haven't been on your site for a couple of months.....and it is indeed sad to read this. we jade lovers here in the states don't hear about these accidents in the jade mines very often. it always saddens me, and troubles me when I hear about a jade mine accident.
ReplyDeleteI realise and respect all the work that people go thru to get a jade bangle or pendant. The jade miners and pickers are on the lowest end of the spectrum and also the most forgotten. My mom always mentions to me: how I am helping fuel/fund ppl in poverty who are looking for jade just for my bangles. I tell her--"i understand, but I also love and respect this mineral because someone had to look for it, cut it, shape, polish, and ship it to me. all that energy that went into a single bangle from all those ppl who touched and handled,and that is also what gives it part of its energy i think."
Even though i think like this--- i still can't help but feel a bit guilty because of the people who died, looking for the jade that I love so much. Thats is one of the reasons I appreciate and love all my bangles and pendants... so much goes into their making!!!
I can only wish the ppl who lost loved ones well, i wish there was a fund we jade lovers could contribute to.. some way we could help.
But,all in all-- May their memories be eternal❤❤❤
The landslides are the reason many people like me tend to treasure jades as these are figuratively the blood, sweat, and tears those jade miners put in hopes of winning big, if any. This really just tells us people that they should give their items with utmost respect for those workers who put their lives to even give us such precious stones.
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