Chinese state media has reported that Burma on Thursday resumed the controversial Letpadaung copper mining project in Sagaing Division. The joint venture between Chinese company Wanbao and the military-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings was stalled amid protests from local residents in November 2012. In July, a new contract to operate the mine was signed to give Burma’s government a 51 percent share of the project. Chinese state newswire Xinhua cited sources familiar with the project saying work on the mine has now restarted.