PICHIT
Blood tests conducted on villagers near Phichit mine
Sayan Chucham
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A MEDICAL team yesterday carried out a blood test at Ban Khiri Thep Nimit School in Phichit's Tab Khlor district for villagers who live near a gold mine run by Akara Resources.

The move follows a complaint by residents from Khao Mor area in Phichit, Phetchabun and Phitsanulok provinces to the National Council for Peace and Order via the Interior Ministry's "Dhamrongtham Centre". They claimed that mining activities involved the use of toxic chemicals that affected their health.

The mine had been granted a permit to hunt for minerals in the area.

The test - carried out by Central Institute of Forensic Science officials and the 10-strong medical team from Rangsit University (RSU) - will check for cyanide, plus arsenic, mercury, manganese and lead, RSU Faculty of Medical Technology deputy dean Oranan Prommano said.

The test results on the first batch of 200 people who lived in the area and those working at the mine should be out in a month, she said, adding the report would be submitted to a related working team assigned to solve the problem. Phetchabun-based soldiers from Phor Khun Phamuang Camp helped with the test.

A source reported that a soldier had to carry 40-year-old Somkid Thampawet, a former worker at the mine who loaded chemicals, to the blood and urine tests.

Somkid had worked for 13 years until he was diagnosed for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his employment was terminated on August 1.

His relatives suspect the illness might stem from exposure to chemicals at his work, so they wanted him to be tested.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Blood-tests-conducted-on-villagers-near-Phichit-mi-30241772.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-26

Once again the mines department are not mentioned , the NCPO need to review this departments charter, mines inspectors should make unannounced monthly visits to mining sites throughout Thailand , monitoring of waste material dumps , water way's , safety of people , machinery, to make sure that mining companies are complying with their obligations and to handle any complaints from nearby residents, the Environmental Authority should also send out inspectors to check for Environmental damage, both should have powers to place probation notices or close mines down .

Once again the mines department are not mentioned , the NCPO need to review this departments charter, mines inspectors should make unannounced monthly visits to mining sites throughout Thailand , monitoring of waste material dumps , water way's , safety of people , machinery, to make sure that mining companies are complying with their obligations and to handle any complaints from nearby residents, the Environmental Authority should also send out inspectors to check for Environmental damage, both should have powers to place probation notices or close mines down .

Ummmm....this is Thailand. At most they are pouring buckets of ice water over their heads learning about the former employee with ALS.

My money's on the test results being negative.........

In fact I hope for the peoples sake, that they are......I also wish for an honest result

Edited August 26, 201411 yr by ChrisY1

Once again the mines department are not mentioned , the NCPO need to review this departments charter, mines inspectors should make unannounced monthly visits to mining sites throughout Thailand , monitoring of waste material dumps , water way's , safety of people , machinery, to make sure that mining companies are complying with their obligations and to handle any complaints from nearby residents, the Environmental Authority should also send out inspectors to check for Environmental damage, both should have powers to place probation notices or close mines down .

Ummmm....this is Thailand. At most they are pouring buckets of ice water over their heads learning about the former employee with ALS.

Why are you Thai bashing? Akara Mining is 100% owned by Kingsgate Consolidated an Australian Public Listed Company.

They use a form of cyanide leaching which not only releases gold but any other heavy metals held in the ore.

They have tailing and waste ponds containing cyanide solution which are huge. You can see them in the video.

Once again the mines department are not mentioned , the NCPO need to review this departments charter, mines inspectors should make unannounced monthly visits to mining sites throughout Thailand , monitoring of waste material dumps , water way's , safety of people , machinery, to make sure that mining companies are complying with their obligations and to handle any complaints from nearby residents, the Environmental Authority should also send out inspectors to check for Environmental damage, both should have powers to place probation notices or close mines down .

Ummmm....this is Thailand. At most they are pouring buckets of ice water over their heads learning about the former employee with ALS.

Or just burying their heads in the sand about it.....

I lived about 3 miles from this mine for over 2 years, and thought about just this kind of testing. The wife's family have lived in this area for over a hundred years and her grandmother will be a 101 years old next birthday, has lived here all her life. For myself, I do not think I suffered from any such poisoning. She has an uncle, who lives a 1/2 mile from the mine who is in his 80's. The wife worked at the mine for 1-1/2 year, and it seemed like a well run facility to me.