A/HRC/42/CRP.3 out ruby mining.226 According to the Myanmar Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI Myanmar), 476 licenses have been awarded to MEHL ruby subsidiaries227. Reports on the total number of ruby mining permits held by the Tatmadaw’s other main conglomerate, MEC, in both Mogok, Mandalay Region and Mong Hsu, Shan State, vary from 31 to 95.228 As one example, MEC collaborates with Great Nine Gems and Jewellery Co. Ltd. in the extraction of rubies in Shan State.229 97. In addition to obtaining licenses for its own operations, MEHL and MEC act as unofficial gatekeepers for private companies seeking access to ruby mining plots and licenses.230 It has been reported that Tatmadaw conglomerates play a role in the bidding process for jade mining licenses. According to a U.S. diplomatic cable, Kachin miners have said that partnering with MEHL ensures the best results during the bidding process for licenses. They also explained how the Tatmadaw conglomerates benefit from such partnerships, claiming more than their share of profits from the subsequent mining operations and sales.231 98. MEHL and MEC subsidiaries are also engaged in other extractive industries in Shan State. Further investigation is required into their mining activities in Shan State, to determine their relationship with ongoing Tatmadaw operations in mining areas and documented international human rights and international humanitarian law violations. In addition to jade and ruby mining, a subsidiary of MEHL’s Myanmar Ruby Enterprise Thit Sar Pan (Jewellery) Co. Ltd. collaborates with Game Gemstone Co. Ltd. in the extraction of gold from Moh Hark, in Moe Mate Township, Shan State.232 MEC Director Khin Maung Soe also serves as a director of a gold mining company, Aye Mya Pye Sone Gold & Mining Production Co. Ltd.233 MEC is also reported to have a coal mine and power plant, two gypsum mines and two limestone mines in Shan State.234 99. While the conduct of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) is outside the scope of this report, the Mission notes that, since the early 1990s, the Tatmadaw has coupled brutal counter-insurgency campaigns against EAOs with offers to share the proceeds from natural resource extraction with EAOs in exchange for signing ceasefire agreements235. The Mission 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 See Annex III. MEHL jade and ruby mining companies. See Annex III. MEHL jade and ruby mining companies. See Myanmar Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (MEITI): The Fourth Myanmar EITI Report For the Period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 (FY 2016-2017), Oil and Gas, Gems and Jade, Other Minerals and Pearl, 30 March 2019 (https://myanmareiti.org/sites/myanmareiti.org/files/publication_docs/4th_meiti_report_30_march_20 19_1.pdf), pg. 73; and further, Mia Newman, “Multifaceted: Governance and Conflict Risks in Myanmar’s Ruby Industry,” Natural Resource Governance Institute, March 2018, p. 9 (https://resourcegovernance.org/sites/default/files/documents/multifaceted-goverance-and-conflictrisks-in-myanmar-ruby-industry.pdf). Marketing and Research Department, Myanmar Economic Corporation, “The Republic of the Union of Myanmar: Myanmar Economic Corporation”, pg. 48. Mia Newman, “Multifaceted: Governance and Conflict Risks in Myanmar’s Ruby Industry,” Natural Resource Governance Institute, March 2018, p. 9 (https://resourcegovernance.org/sites/default/files/documents/multifaceted-goverance-and-conflictrisks-in-myanmar-ruby-industry.pdf) Kachin Jade Mining: The Road to Riches and Ruin; 12 December 2001, unclassified Cable of the U.S. Government. Reference No. 5/3/Ah Kha Ya/Pai (2124/2018), “Submitting MEHL’s information and data for EITI process,” 25 June 2018 (https://myanmareiti.org/files/uploads/mehl_information_data_for_eiti.pdf) DICA registration number 364/2003-2004. The coal mine and power plant in Mai Khot are a joint venture between MEC and Saraburi Coal Co, Ltd (a Hong Kong-based company). See Myanmar Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (MEITI): The Fourth Myanmar EITI Report For the Period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 (FY 20162017), Oil and Gas, Gems and Jade, Other Minerals and Pearl, 30 March 2019 ( https://myanmareiti.org/sites/myanmareiti.org/files/publication_docs/4th_meiti_report_30_march_20 19_1.pdf), pg. 73. Min Zaw Oo, “Understanding Myanmar’s Peace Process: Ceasefire Agreements,” Swisspeace, 2014, pg. 8-9 (https://www.swisspeace.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Media/Publications/Catalyzing_Reflections_2_20 14_online.pdf) 35