Buddhist Monks, Villagers Protest Against Expansion Of Mine In Northwestern Myanmar

A group of protesting villagers who has blocked a road with rocks and wood guard their position in Letpadaung mine, Monywa town shop, northwestern Myanmar, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and villagers occupying the mine, they said is causing environmental, social and health problems, defied a government order to leave by Wednesday, saying they will stay until the project is halted.

A protesting Buddhist monk and a man take pictures of Myanmar police officers who guard Chinese mine company Wan Bao Co. Ltd. facilities in Letpadaung mine, Monywa township, northwestern Myanmar, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012.

A devotee prays at a Buddhist shrine that is scheduled to be dismantled for the expansion of the Letpadaung mine in Monywa town, northwestern Myanmar, Wednesday, Nov 28, 2012. The protest is the latest example of increased activism by citizens since an elected government took over last year following almost five decades of repressive military rule. <AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe>