TIE capture by Bunner lr<«>p» of a rebel-held territory has uncovered what appear* to be rich mining ground* for the highly valued ruby gemstone

The new "rubyland' is on the northern side of the Sh well tn the northeastern Shan state which had been held by the Kachin Independence Army

Just laat August. Burma s intelligence service ' seized with great difficulties from abroad 1.870.1 carats of ru-bks including an uncut one that alone weighed 604 5

When the slate run Myanma Gems Enterprise* cut and pol lahed the piece M turned out into a prtcelcs*. record breaking ruby o( crimson colour weighing 406.5 cartes. Il was promptly designated a national treasure and named the "SIORC Ruby alter the ruling State Law and Order HeMoralion Council

While no name* and exrun tries were mentioned by mill lary intelligence. Informed •ounce* said the ruby contra Und was netted from Ihatiand where Burmese merchant* brought then for valuation

The "SLORC Ruby" could very well be the kargrwl among the world known ruble* to be mined In Burma. ArtuaNy. the lamout "Star ol India" exhib tied at the Smithsonian Instl lute In Washington DC . known a* the worlds largest ruby was mined in Burma It wetted just IOO carats fhtby ’ mined during the reign W King Ptratale In IMI re mains missing It weighed lust • 1 cartea and wra taken away tar the Brwtsh when ■ annate the Burmese kingdom In 1866

And now Burma has un method another rtrti ruby sMe in what was once rebel lent lory The area was repeatedly infantry XuanaraTteMLe^O baltlri were reportedly fought fee posarateon at the territory dependent Army (KIA) as Ma own Mberatsd area

The KIA was reportedly US-

Ing the area as Its stronghold and a rendezvous point for its followers In the Kachin and Shan states. It also served as a recruiting station

The KIA was allegedly con ducting its tax collection act tv ftics (rom the area located at the injunction of the northern. central and northeastern Burmese military commands The KJA reportedly cut off the Bhamo Nam khan road serving the area and undertook opium and teak smuggling activities

The state-run Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE). which has been handling Burma's gems trade and organ Ises the annual emporium, has so far processed 319 carats of rubies and 3,873 carats of sap phire from six sites around the famous "ruby town" of Mogok

MGE has also started expto ration and extraction In the area, forming joint ventures with private groups which were given the right to partic

from there.

Immediately following the rapture of the territory from KIA Burmese officials began mineral exploration* In the area in September laat year. Located just 10 mile* away from another gemstone area in Pylnlon. the area has so far yielded 4.900 carats of raw rubies reports said

The valuable stones, to get her with finds from other mines, form part of the ex hlblts for auction at the 28lh annual gem emporium held In January The exhibits were vi. wad prior to the auction by Gen Saw Maung, chairman of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) •nd other top government off! rial.

Mining on a commercial •calc appear* to have Marled in Pylnlon. which is off Namtu in northern Shan stales Dis covered in 1999. the fate was designated an offlrtal treaaure fand or stone tract tn April IMO

So far. the sHe has pro ducwl 49.929 eartea of row ru bir. according to o file lai re

ipate tn such activities under the SLORC's open-door policy.

Report* said this years erp porium Included 1.858.55 carats of ruby and 542 carats of peridots from Just three mln Ing sites

Burma has also been mining gold and diamond. A total of I 299 carats of raw diamond have been mined to date — 222 carats from Mohauk In Mongmit in the Shan states •nd 1.077 carats from Indow in the Tencssarim division tn tower Burma

Figures for gold were not

Burma aimed lo produce 49.200 troy ounces of gold and 50 ounces of refined gold for the fiscal year which started April 1. 1990 and will end March 31. 1991

For the same fiscal year, Burma also had production targets of 450.000 ounces of Sih* r and 55,000 kifos of jade

The annual gem emporium was organised in 1964 by former Burmese leader Ne Win to develop a real market right In the country for precious and semiprecious stones. Prior to the annual event, Burma had to send Its mine finds abroad, either legally or illegally, for valuation and sale.

Under the socialist gov eminent. trade was handled by the state but private entities and individuals engaged in gem smuggling Hefty tax free monetary rewards for Inform ers were offered to check smuggling but It continues even under the present open door policy of the SLORC

Military Intelligence has also seized 28,858.5 carats of rubies tn Mandalay and Mogok that were meant to be smuggled abroad. Local seizures have included three big pieces weighing 330, 260 and 250 carats each.

In the last days of Ne Win's rule, private entrepreneurs were allowed to use the MOE for a Ice for the valuation of their stones so they can be included in the annual emporium.

When the SLORC assumed control of the country, private entrepreneurs were ofi totally allowed to auction off their goods at the emporium

Sales in the emporium arc paid in foreign exchange. The private auctioneers were allowed to open accounts with state-run foreign trade banks and were authorised unlimited imports as their funds allowed.

So far. Burma's annual gem emporium has earned the government some US • 146.875,078 in much-needed foreign exchange

The government is now strengthening its campaign against the illegal mining and smuggling of precious gems. A recent military crackdown resulted tn the arrest of four members engaged in Illicit gems trade They have been sente need to life imprison men! by a military tribunal tn the ancient capital of Man dalay

In spite of thia, it Is re ported that illegal mining and smuggling of valuable stones continue — Drpthneios Asia