A human rights group is calling on the government to abandon its plans to expand operations at tin mines in Karenni State, southern Burma. The Molo Women Mining Watch Network, which has documented the mines’ heavy social and environmental impacts, said that a Chinese company has been building roads and housing near Saethongon village. Local inhabitants were told to leave the area because of planned mine expansion. Some 180 villagers signed a petition to the Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP) to help stop the plans. The group said that the expansion plans would violate terms of ceasefire agreement between Naypyidaw and the KNPP, and endanger the peace process.