February 18, 2008 - A team of Russian mineral inspectors are in Phakant (Hpakan) in Kachin State, northern Burma since last year much before the two countries signed an agreement last week for exploration of gold and associated minerals in Phakant areas, the state media said.
Eyewitnesses told KNG they have seen several Russian mineral inspectors camping and working in Tarmakhan areas for over a year. Both locals and visitors are strictly forbidden from entering the area.
"I believe Russians arrived in Tarmakhan for Uranium. Uranium exploration started in the Tarmakhan and Hongpa areas during Prime Minister U Nu's tenure. But, the exploration was stopped because of civil war between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and successive Burmese ruling juntas," a local geologist told KNG.
Last year, a Russian mineral inspector in Tarmakhan fell ill and died at the government hospital in Phakant Township, local eyewitnesses and hospital sources said.
Source: KNG
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