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Bawdwin Mine () is a historical mine in northeast
One of Myanmar's richest natural resources, the polymetallic mine yields silver, lead, zinc, copper and other metals. One of the largest high-grade silver-lead-zinc ore bodies in the world called the "Chinaman Lode" was discovered on the site in 1913. At the Bawdwin Mine, there were two separate sections: the Shan part to the north and the "Chinaman," which contained the Chinaman lode.
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
(formerly Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
) which was one of the largest mines controlled by the British Empire before World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. It was first mined by the Chinese in the 15th century.
Early history
The Bawdwin Mine, known locally as Bawdwingyi, is situated nearbyLashio
Lashio ( ; Shan: ) is the largest city and the capital of northern Shan State, Myanmar, about north-east of Mandalay. It is situated on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the Yaw River. Loi Leng, the highest mountain of the Shan Hi ...
in the northern Shan State's Namtu Township
Namtu Township () is a township of Kyaukme District in Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). The principal town is Namtu
Namtu () is a town situated in northern Shan State, Myanmar. It is famous for Bawdwin and Namtu silver mines. NamTu River is flowing ...
, in Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
(formerly Upper Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
).
Chinese miners have been extracting minerals from the deposit as early as 1412 A.D. Within 40 miles of the Chinese border, Bawdwin was formerly a Chinese colony, with a population of 20,000. During these early mining activities, only silver was extracted and the lead was left behind. The mine was operated by the Chinese until 1868, when it was abandoned as a result of the Mohammedan rebellion in Yunnan. Their exploitation in the mine's depths was not significantly pursued until British and American engineers began work in the twentieth century. In the early 1900s, Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st president of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. A wealthy mining engineer before his presidency, Hoover led the wartime Commission for Relief in Belgium and ...
of the Burma Corporation managed the site as a mining consultant. In 1906, an operational company under the British-owned Burma Corporation, Burma Mines Ltd., acquired the controlling interests in the mine.
One of Myanmar's richest natural resources, the polymetallic mine yields silver, lead, zinc, copper and other metals. One of the largest high-grade silver-lead-zinc ore bodies in the world called the "Chinaman Lode" was discovered on the site in 1913. At the Bawdwin Mine, there were two separate sections: the Shan part to the north and the "Chinaman," which contained the Chinaman lode.
World War II
In 1945, the Bawdwin Mine was captured by Chinese troops under the American command of Lieutenant General Daniel Isom Sultan.Herald and Review. (February 23, 1945). Chinese Take Famed Burma Bawdwin Mines; 1945. Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-chinese-take-famed-bur/148421614/ The site was rebuilt in 1951 following its destruction during World War II, and it was nationalized in 1963.References
{{coord, 23.110, 97.297, format=dms, type:landmark_region:MM, display=title Polymetallic mines Zinc mines Lead mines Mines in Myanmar