Gold mining company to suspend operations in Loei province

[webfact]

Gold mining company to suspend operations in Loei province



BANGKOK: -- The gold-mining company in Loei province has agreed to suspend mining operations temporarily pending the official signing of an agreement with the protesting villagers.

The suspension of the gold mining operations in Tambon Khao Luang, Wang Saphung district by Thung Kha company was the outcome of latest negotiations between the company and representatives of six villages allegedly affected by the operations with the help of the army and Governor Viroj Jiwarangsan acting as the mediators.

The protesting villagers have demanded the company to stop mining operatons, to restore the environment, to rehabilitate the affected villagers and to withdraw all lawsuits filed against them.

However, Mr Vichai Cherdchivasart, managing director of Thung Kha company, explained that the company would need government representatives to act as the guarantor if it is to stop the operations because the company is an affiliate of Thung Kha Harbour which is a registered company in the stock market and such decision could impact on the mother company’s reputation.

While an agreement between the two opposing parties is yet to be inked, Mr Vichai said the company had agreed to temporarily suspend mining operations and to remove its machinery and remaining excavated ores to elsewhere.

Maj-Gen Woratat Supatthananont, the Loei provincial army commander, said that the outcome of the negotiations was satisfactory and hoped that an agreement would soon be signed by the two parties to end the conflict.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/gold-mining-company-suspend-operations-loei-province/


-- Thai PBS 2014-08-18

[boomerangutang]

Good. I don't know much about it, but had read an article a few weeks ago which indicated it was environmentally dirty. It wouldn't surprise me. Sounds like villagers aren't getting completely dicked around.

[borisloosebrain]

Khun Vichai your' companies activities have already trashed the reputation of the Thung Kha company , it's subsidiaries and it's hi so board of directors. You've clearly chosen to cut corners ,stuff up the locals food and water resources, you've caused and denied culpability for widespread hitherto unknown health problems amongst the locals..... And you're worried about protecting your companies' reputation ? You're priorities as a businessman might be right but they also make you a first class ##%#*+#.

[hanuman2543]

What will happen to the Army officer and his gang of thugs who about a month ago invaded the village, imprisoned and wounded many villagers? Will he and the rest of his gang held responsible or is that an allowed occupation for Army officers same as working as a security guard, equipped with weapons from the Navy, for Suthep before? And this whole incident has no influence on the image of the mother company?

[chainarong]

The mines department and the environmental Department either need legislation to give them powers that can control mining, as that is a part of their work or they need to get some Ba!!s , either way it is not the army's area to come to an agreement with the villagers and the company , there are government departments including the health department that should handle this shoddy episode,

[farmerjo]

Oh well,

No 18 hole golf course and resort which was part of the original environment clean up at end of operations.

Was looking forward to that.

[squarethecircle]

And someone was talking about the other day why Thai-Chinese have a bad reputation.

[FangFerang]

"affected villagers and to withdraw all lawsuits filed against them." Only in Thailand could a company poison the ground water, harass and attack nearby villagers with machetes, and then file lawsuits against them.

Amazing Fracking Thailand! Oops, I got ahead of the curve -- fracking is next up from the shale deposits in the northeast -- coming soon to a theater near you!

[khounteen]

I would not be surprised if environment friendly once an acceptable amount of crispy ones change hands.

[hgma]

To all

Remember this company was able to ramp up 300 armed and unarmed thugs to assault, intimidate local villagers.

No police in sight.

It is a strong reminder for the future to come......the military will leave at one point.

Reform can be enforced, sure....but it will come with a price.

The cult will not forget and rooting out a cult by force is not possible.

Having said that, my respect for the effected villagers is even greater then it was before.

[BSJ]

I have no qualms about shutting down operations that are so obviously out of line with good mining practises. From what I have read this one should be shut forever!

[samran]

The entire company is a basket case.

[Strangebrew]

Dose anyone know if there still using mercury in the mining process? I know the US banned it's use years ago due health concerns.

[DeepInTheForest]

Dose anyone know if there still using mercury in the mining process? I know the US banned it's use years ago due health concerns.

Don't know if it was used while mining, and I'm guessing no one else does either, except the mine operators. But the villagers have heavy metals in their systems, as has been demonstrated, below.

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Dr. Pattapong Katesomboon, lecturer of Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, mentioned results of blood testing done with 440 people living in villages around the gold mine, as a part of the study titled “Health Impact Assessment with People Living around the Gold Mine, Khaoluang Sub-District, Wang Saphung District, Loei Province, Fiscal Year 2552 B.E.”. The blood drawing was done in 5-6 and 19-21 June by Loei Provincial Health Office and Wang Saphung Hospital. The samples were referred to Ramathibodi Hospital for cyanide testing and to Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health for heavy metal (mercury and lead) testing. The test results showed that heavy metal, especially mercury, was found in every sample and 38 are over standard level. Also, cyanide was found in 348 blood samples, with 84 people having it over standard level. Only 103 samples are cyanide-free and lead was found in every sample.

“The results are derived from official disclosure of Loei Provincial Health Office on 2 February. It is presumed to be caused by residues in water and result in rashes and skin problems. Some domestic animals die without clear causes. This is really health-threatening. HIA will encourage culture of participation of all stakeholders as it does not only examine overall impacts, but its process also encourage communities to realize their rights and duties. This will support the progress of democratic culture in Thai society as democracy is not merely the act of voting.”

http://en.nationalhealth.or.th/node/186

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Loei-villagers-have-high-cyanide-and-mercury-level-30149840.html

[DeepInTheForest]

"affected villagers and to withdraw all lawsuits filed against them." Only in Thailand could a company poison the ground water, harass and attack nearby villagers with machetes, and then file lawsuits against them.

Amazing Fracking Thailand! Oops, I got ahead of the curve -- fracking is next up from the shale deposits in the northeast -- coming soon to a theater near you!

"Only in Thailand could a company poison the ground water, harass and attack nearby villagers with machetes, and then file lawsuits against them."

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If only this were true. If only!!

"Environmentalist murders escalating worldwide"

http://www.dw.de/global-witness-environmentalist-murders-escalating-worldwide/a-17567581

"Study finds global surge in murders of environmental activists"

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/4/16/killing_natures_defenders_study_finds_global

[DeepInTheForest]

What one operation in Loei looked like, in 2008