Department of Mines is responsible for administration of mineral policy and planning mineral legislation, mine inspection and safety, mineral conservation and environmental conservation.

The objectives of the Myanmar Mines Law are -

(a) to implement the Mineral Resources Policy of the Government;
(b)   to fulfill the domestic requirements and to increase export by producing more mineral products;
(c) to promote development of local and foreign investment in respect of mineral resources;
(d) to supervise, scrutinize and approve applications submitted by person or organization desirous of conducting mineral prospecting, exploration or production;
(e) to carry out for the development of, conservation, utilization and research work of mineral resources;
(f) to protect the environmental conservation works that may have detrimental effect due to mining operation.

Policy and Legislation

The national economic objectives stand as the policy framework in the mineral sector where it is stipulated to invite participation in terms of technical know-how and investment from sources inside the country and abroad. It is the policy in the mineral sector to boost up present production, to fulfill the growing domestic demand and to increase foreign exchange earnings. Mineral-wise emphasis is given for development of copper, gold, lead, zinc, iron and steel, coal, nickel and construction related industrial minerals such as cement making materials, dimension stones and aggregates.

• The Union of Myanmar Mines Law was promulgated in September 1994 and rules relating the law followed after in December1996.
• The Ministry of Mines is the government authority responsible for implementation of the policy, legislation and enforcement of law, rules and regulations in the mining sector.
• According to the Myanmar Mines Law, all naturally occurring minerals found either on or under the soil of any land in the continental shelf are deemed to be owned by the State.
• It is the policy of the Ministry of Mines not to make new investment on its own, but to encourage foreign and local investors to invest in the mining sector.
• Myanmar practice the production sharing contract (P.S.C) system.
• In the production sharing types of agreement the investor shall have to contribute 100% of investment in which case the government would expect a share of the production and a production sharing will be signed with sharing ratio to be agreed upon between the parties.

Copper Mine in Mone Ywa , Sagine Division.