A Frontier Myanmar report in January 2026 indicate that the Letpadaung Copper Mine operated by Wanbao Mining has become a focal point of conflict between Myanmar's military and resistance groups in recent years. Since 2021, military operations around the mine in the Sagaing Region have repeatedly displaced thousands of residents. To maintain mine security, the junta indiscriminately bombed and raided local villages while killing civilians during counterinsurgency operations. Mining operations at the Letpadaung Copper Mine were temporarily halted due to the civil disobedience movement. However, after resuming production in June 2024, the security situation deteriorated sharply. Arrests and killings by junta forces intensified. Villages along the copper transport routes were frequently subjected to destruction and looting by troops, with individuals found outdoors routinely arrested. Sources indicate that in June 2025, approximately 40 villagers were detained and used as human shields along the military's clearance routes. According to the report, Wanbao Mining not only made profits from copper mining operations, but this copper is also used in weapons production. These weapons are then sold to the Myanmar military by Norinco Group, the parent company of Wanbao Mining.

The Business and Human Rights Centre had reached out to Wanbao Mining for comment. They did not respond.