A Myanmar jade mine landslide has killed at least five people and left around 15 others missing after heavy monsoon rains triggered the collapse of a waste heap at a disused jade mine in Kachin State. Rescue teams continued searching for survivors on Tuesday as authorities warned that unstable mining sites remain highly dangerous during the rainy season.
According to state media, the incident occurred late Sunday in Hpakant Township, the centre of Myanmar’s jade mining industry. Around 20 freelance jade scavengers were reportedly searching for leftover gemstones under floodlights when the waste heap suddenly collapsed, burying those working at the site.
Officials said continuous rainfall over several days had weakened old mine waste piles, causing the deadly collapse. The Myanmar jade mine landslide occurred at an abandoned mining location where local residents often search through discarded rubble in hopes of finding valuable jade fragments to earn a living.
Myanmar’s jade mining industry is largely unregulated, with Kachin State producing most of the world’s highest-quality jadeite, a gemstone that is especially valuable in China and other Asian markets. Many impoverished workers risk their lives by scavenging at abandoned mines because of limited economic opportunities.
The region has also been heavily affected by Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. Several armed groups and military forces are reported to control mining areas, using jade revenues to finance their operations. The combination of conflict and weak regulation has increased safety risks across the industry. The Myanmar jade mine landslide once again highlights these longstanding concerns.
Fatal accidents are common in Hpakant, particularly during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall destabilizes steep mining slopes and waste heaps. Similar disasters in previous years have claimed hundreds of lives, prompting repeated calls for stronger safety standards and better regulation of mining operations.
Search and rescue teams continue efforts to locate those still missing beneath the debris. Authorities have warned residents to avoid unstable mining areas as heavy seasonal rains continue, while the latest Myanmar jade mine landslide has renewed concerns over worker safety and conditions in one of the world’s most valuable gemstone industries.
