SAGAING DIVISION – NUG Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mr. Nay Bone Latt said that NUG’s PDF troops have taken over the US$855 million Ta Kaung nickel factory invested by the Chinese government-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining and Construction in Tigyaing township.
On July 25 in Tigyaing township, it was reported that the revolutionary forces attacked and captured the security outpost of Ta Kaung Nickle Factory in Mong Gone village. After that, the security forces on the gates of the factory also entered the factory. Then, the junta council troops inside Ta Kaung Nickle Factory offered to surrender. After that, through negotiations, the PDF forces of the NUG made arrangements for the military council troops to surrender and leave. However, Chinese citizens and Chinese investments are protected, and there are discussions between NUG and China.
“It is true that the factory is in our control area and we have provided security. But the rest of the matter cannot be discussed in detail yet,” Mr. Nay Bone Latt, the spokesperson of the NUG Prime Minister’s Office, explained.
The Ta Kaung Nickle Project has been in operation since 2008 by the Chinese government-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining and the Myanmar joint venture company Myanmar CNMC Nickle. The investment value of the project is 855 million US dollars, and it is being carried out by foreign direct investment under a 20-year contract.
“Except for our township PDFs and other township LPDFs to provide security, the rest of the discussion is being carried out at the higher authorities. On the ground, we have provided security. We are mainly working to ensure that everyone is safe and that there are no planes and bombings,” a member of the Public Defense Force of Tigyaing township said.
Currently, Ta Kaung Nickle Factory is suspended without being able to operate. The details are mainly discussed between NUG and China.
At Ta Kaung Nickel Factory, there are about 1200 workers in the various departments including Raw materials department, sand kiln department, Metallurgical Furnace Department, Laboratory Department, Security department, Kitchen department, Department of Garden and heavy vehicles department.
