Community Citizen Science for Risk Management of a Spontaneously Combusting Coal-Mine Waste Heap in Ban Chaung, Dawei District, Myanmar.

Abstract

Since 2015, a large heap of improperly disposed coal‐mine waste in Ban Chaung, Dawei district, Myanmar, has repeatedly spontaneously combusted, affecting an indigenous community. Recently, the regional Myanmar government has compelled the mine to properly manage the mine waste heap, but there is no opportunity for affected villagers to participate. This study empowers the affected villagers to make risk management decisions via a community citizen science approach. First, field investigations were performed with the affected community to identify hot spots at the waste heap releasing gaseous pollutants that may exceed acceptable levels. Next, existing monitoring data previously collected by the community were interpreted as clear evidence of past poor waste management. Information about suppression of existing fire and mine waste storage options was presented to the community for them to make an informed decision about the most appropriate corrective action that should be taken by the mine. The mining company chose to use surface sealing for both suppression of existing fire and on‐site storage of the mine waste but did not install any long‐term monitoring system. Nevertheless, the community's choice was surface sealing with preventive monitoring together with emergency response, which is the more scientifically appropriate option. This outcome of a science‐based risk management decision by the community will be forwarded to the regional government for enforcement. This process of community citizen science is in line with the normative rationale of public participation, which is meant to influence decisions, elevate democratic capacity, and empower marginalized individuals and communities.