The Sabetaung-Kyisintaung (S&K) Mine is located in central Myanmar, near Monywa, a city with a population of 500,000 people. Monywa is situated on the east bank of the Chindwin River, the biggest tributary of Myanmar's well-known Ayarwady (Irrawaddy) River. The minesite is located 10 kilometres by road from the west bank of the Chindwin.

The recently opened Chindwin Bridge puts the S&K operation closer to the services and conveniences of an urban centre. Monywa, the capital of the Sagaing Division, is growing in terms of infrastructure: there is an airstrip with an 8,000 ft. runway and an all-weather road to the border with India.

The region is semi-arid, with a broad valley floor. Scattered low hills and a few elevated mountains form the landmarks in this area. Existing dry water courses fill in the wet season and drain into the nearby Yama Stream.

The area is characterized by dry-zone vegetation consisting mostly of low-growing shrubs and grasses, together with cultivated fields. Tama - Azadirachta indica, Than-Terminalia diveri, Me-zali-Cassia mimosoides, and Sha-Acacia catechu are common, with a variety of understorey species.

Approximate annual rainfall was 871.59 mm in 2004 and the temperature ranged from 13.41° C to 41.37° C.

• 1930s British administration conducted regional geological studies.
• 1950s Burma (Myanmar) Geological Department surveyed the area with Yugoslav counterparts.
• 1972 The Japanese Government gave technical and financial assistance for more definitive drilling.
• 1978 An agreement was signed between ME-1 and the Bor Copper Institute of Yugoslavia to develop the S&K deposits.
• 1984 An 8,000-tonne-per-day (tpd) copper mill operation was started.
• 1994 ME-1 and IMHL signed a feasibility agreement to develop the copper deposits in the S&K area and nearby Letpadaung.
• 1995 A 1 tpd Pilot Plant was built to confirm the process suitability and also to train Myanmar technicians.
• 1996 A two-year study culminated with positive outcomes. Based on extensive drilling (905 drill holes with a total length of 118,538 metres), a leaching test and pilot plant operations, MICCL was formed as a joint-venture between ME-1 and IMHL.
• 1997 A 25,000-tonne-per-year SX-EW plant was constructed.
• 1998 Cathode copper production began.
• 2002 Expansion of the project to 28,000 tpy of cathode copper production began.
• 2003 The project was expanded to 31,000 tpa.
• 2004 The project was further expanded to 39,000 tpa.
• 2005 A High-Grade Ore Agitated Leached Plant was commissioned for 13 t/h ore capacity.
• 2006 High-Grade Ore Agitated Leached Plant was modified to improve leaching and to stabilize the operation.New Policy defined clearly the limit of high-grade ore deposit to optimize leaching.GRD Minproc study to combine the Sabetaung pit and Sabetaung South pit.
• 2007 New Diesel Fuel Farm was constructed to increase storage capacity. Fine Screening Plant extension was made to increase throughout . Residue Treatment Plant was constructed to recover more copper from residue.