Thousands remain in danger after landslide

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION 

 

 

Families accuse Egat of causing latest incident by ignoring supreme court.

 

MORE THAN 2,000 families are still living within an area vulnerable to landslides and pollution from the Mae Moh lignite mine, despite the Supreme Administrative Court order in 2014 that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) evacuate people as a safety precaution.

 

Maliwan Nakwirot, a resident living near the mine in Lampang, yesterday said a landslide in the area on Sunday was the result of misconduct by the mine operator, which had been piling excavated soil into unstable piles instead to storing it in abandoned mine pits.

 

“It is not the first time that there have been landslides at Mae Moh mine. There have already been three major landslides at the mine since last year, as these mountains of soil are not stable and are ready to slide anytime,” Maliwan said.

 

“Egat has also failed to follow the mine restoration order in the Supreme Administrative Court verdict, as the court directed Egat to fill soil back into mine pits and reforest the abandoned mine area. 

 

“The risk of further landslides is still present.”

 

She added that although the recent landslide had not caused direct harm to local people, a landslide in October had affected up to 12 rai (1.9 hectares) of land and damaged nine houses in a nearby community.

 

“More than 2,000 families in four communities are still living in high-risk areas for landslides and other environmental impacts from lignite mining operations, as Egat and the problem-solving committee still have not complied with the Supreme Administrative Court judgement for Egat to relocate them to a safe area five kilometres away from the Mae Moh mine,” she said.

 

Maliwan added that Egat should “sincerely” address problems with the mining operation and follow the Supreme Administrative Court judgement, as it had been four years since the verdict.

 

Meanwhile, Thaworn Ngamganokwan, Egat deputy governor on fuel management, said the Sunday landslide had caused only minor damage and the affected area was limited inside the mining area with no direct impact to nearby communities.

 

“We suspect that the landslide was caused by heavy rains in recent days, but in order to solve the problem at its roots, Egat has invited experts from both domestic and international agencies to inspect the area and find long-term solutions to prevent landslides,” Thaworn said.

 

“Moreover, Egat is reporting the real-time situation in updates to Lampang’s local authorities, relevant agencies and the leaders of local communities to keep them informed about the situation.”

 

He said the mine’s soil conveyor belt, five high-voltage power poles and a connecting road between Tambon Bandong and Mae Moh district had been damaged.

 

Egat had also dispatched officials to close down the affected areas as a safety precaution.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30341280

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-20

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“Egat has also failed to follow the mine restoration order in the Supreme Administrative Court verdict, as the court directed Egat to fill soil back into mine pits and reforest the abandoned mine area. 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Maliwan added that Egat should “sincerely” address problems with the mining operation and follow the Supreme Administrative Court judgement, as it had been four years since the verdict.

...and in 12 days we celebrate Thail law enforcement day.

Close the mine already !

42 minutes ago, BuaBS said:

Close the mine already !

Without the mine Lampang would be nothing.

 

If anyone thinks that the mine is going to be closed then the only word I can muster is Dim!

 

The power and politics of this gravy train ain't going to stop anytime soon. In fact a new plant is being built right now!

 

Remember the news that the golf course was to be closed. Nope, you guessed it still open.

 

EGAT's corporate responsibility budget is huge and the money that this and the salaries of the employees of the state body and private companies put into the local economy is of vital importance.

 

Want to know local feelings? Just try posting any criticism on the local FB echo boxes. You will get a right earful and most probably have your post deleted.

 

The mine and its disgusting pollution are here to stay for a long long time. But so is the money.

4 hours ago, thaimelody said:

Without the mine Lampang would be nothing.

 

If anyone thinks that the mine is going to be closed then the only word I can muster is Dim!

 

The power and politics of this gravy train ain't going to stop anytime soon. In fact a new plant is being built right now!

 

Remember the news that the golf course was to be closed. Nope, you guessed it still open.

 

EGAT's corporate responsibility budget is huge and the money that this and the salaries of the employees of the state body and private companies put into the local economy is of vital importance.

 

Want to know local feelings? Just try posting any criticism on the local FB echo boxes. You will get a right earful and most probably have your post deleted.

 

The mine and its disgusting pollution are here to stay for a long long time. But so is the money.

There is a distinct possibility that it will become nothing with the mine.

Investigations taking place on a missing person in the area!

Egat says landslides at Mae Moh mine caused by cumulative water infiltration 

By Thai PBS

 

 

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat)’s initial inspection found that landslides at Mae Moh lignite mine in Lampang’s Mae Moh district was caused by water infiltration.

 

The landslides occurred at about 9 am on March 18 at the mine’s dump site. The soil blocked about one kilomtre section of a road inside the mine which has also been used by the locals.

 

The landslides had damaged many electricity poles, but did not disrupt electricity services in the areas.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/egat-says-landslides-mae-moh-mine-caused-cumulative-water-infiltration/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-03-21

1 hour ago, webfact said:

was caused by water infiltration.

their version of mai pen rai, we didn't do it

13 hours ago, webfact said:

caused by water infiltration.

you mean to tell me that water got into soil, genius!