Myanmar’s Mineral Resources: Boon or Bane for the Peace Process?

As investors look to tap into new opportunities in Myanmar’s resource and mining sectors they risk undermining the fragile peace process and provoking tensions between the government and armed ethnic groups. The challenges are many and could multiply if business, government and other actors are not cool headed moving forward. Mining sector reform is a crucial pivot that will be a bellwether for the country’s transition. This paper explores the various issues faced by Myanmar’s mineral resource sector and the impact on the peace process.