Akara given clean bill of health on local water tests

[webfact]

Akara given clean bill of health on local water tests
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IN ITS continuing effort to strengthen the trust and confidence of local communities in the Central region with regard to its Chatree gold mine operations, Akara Resources claims that an analysis by the government of water samples collected from areas around the mine had found no trace of arsenic or cyanide.

Several groups joined forces to carry out a water quality survey at 35 local water sources around the Chatree Mining Complex - including tap water, wells, artesian aquifers, pools and canals.

The water samples from these sources were collected and sent to the Research and Laboratory Development Centre of the Public Health Ministry for analysis on February 5. The results show no trace of cyanide or arsenic contamination in local water sources despite concerns raised by the communities.

Pakorn Sukhum, chief executive officer of Akara Resources, said last week that the company would like to thank the Tai Dong Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) of Phetchabun's Wang Pong district, Health Department and other organisations for supporting it in the collection of water samples and acting as a liaison for community outreach purposes.

The other organisations that took part in the collection of samples were the Khao Jed Look TAO of Phichit's Tub Khlo district, the public health offices in Wang Pong and Khao Jed Look, hospitals in Wang Kradat Ngern, Dong Long and Daan Chang, Akara Resources, TAO members and representatives of local communities.

Tests 'will allay concerns'

"The test results, based on the Ministry of Public Health's stringent standards, will certainly relieve locals of any concerns regarding water consumption in everyday life.

"Regardless, the company remains fully committed to supporting local communities and further developing their water supply systems. We will continue to stand united with them as one family," he said.

Akara Resources is supporting the construction of community water supply systems in 17 villages across three provinces. With assistance from government agencies, Akara has developed and delivered such projects for various communities, provided support for state-funded projects and facilitated regular cleaning and filter replacement services.

It constantly monitors the water supply for potential heavy metal contamination by working with the Health Department and local officials to collect water samples for further scientific analysis by reputable laboratories.

Since 2001, Akara Resources has owned and operated the largest "zero discharge" gold mine in the country in terms of ore and gold production at the Chatree Operation, which straddles Phichit, Phetchabun and Phitsanulok in the Central region.

Chatree is operating at 6.2 million tonnes per year, including 130,000 ounces of gold and 1 million ounces of silver. The company has paid over Bt3 billion in royalties to the government to further drive economic growth and quality of life improvements among local communities.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Akara-given-clean-bill-of-health-on-local-water-te-30261836.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-08

[lujanit]

Independent verification is badly needed. The Research and Laboratory Development Centre of the Public Health Ministry and "The company has paid over Bt3 billion in royalties to the government" just isn't convincing.

[ChrisY1]

Agree Iujanit, 3 billion in royalties would most certainly ensure a "fair and conclusive" analysis!

[Sydebolle]

Any Swiss fountain in public place provides what you can see here - drinking water quality. It just proves that it is possible if you really want it. But latter, well ..............
Picture shows what a Thai tourist posted on Facebook yesterday on water quality ;-)

Edited June 8, 2015 by Sydebolle

[dcutman]

So what is the explanation for the heavy metal contamination found in over 50% of blood samples taken from people living in the area? And what is being done about it?

A Thai gold mining company is under fire this week after lab results indicated as many as 6,000 people may have been poisoned by heavy metals.

Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Sciences found manganese and arsenic in 329 of 600 blood samples collected from locals in the Thap Khlo district, where Akara Resources operates gold mines. http://www.mining.com/thai-villagers-may-have-been-poisoned-by-gold-mine-58246/

[bangkokfrog]

So what is the explanation for the heavy metal contamination found in over 50% of blood samples taken from people living in the area? And what is being done about it?

A Thai gold mining company is under fire this week after lab results indicated as many as 6,000 people may have been poisoned by heavy metals.

Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Sciences found manganese and arsenic in 329 of 600 blood samples collected from locals in the Thap Khlo district, where Akara Resources operates gold mines. http://www.mining.com/thai-villagers-may-have-been-poisoned-by-gold-mine-58246/

A good question, and one that should involve government tests across the country. How about soil contamination through decades of inefficient farming practices involving the over/improper use of chemicals? This could be a sleeping dog putting millions, not thousands, of lives at risk.

[eliotness]

So what is the explanation for the heavy metal contamination found in over 50% of blood samples taken from people living in the area? And what is being done about it?

A Thai gold mining company is under fire this week after lab results indicated as many as 6,000 people may have been poisoned by heavy metals.

Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Sciences found manganese and arsenic in 329 of 600 blood samples collected from locals in the Thap Khlo district, where Akara Resources operates gold mines. http://www.mining.com/thai-villagers-may-have-been-poisoned-by-gold-mine-58246/[/quot

A good question, and one that should involve government tests across the country. How about soil contamination through decades of inefficient farming practices involving the over/improper use of chemicals? This could be a sleeping dog putting millions, not thousands, of lives at risk.

Farming chemicals do not usually cause heavy metal contamination in humans. Pesticides and herbicides are usually organic chemicals and can accumulate in humans, eg in body fat. Inorganic chemicals, ie fertilisers tend to be water soluble and therefore are more liable to cause problems in local rivers. Overall the use of chemicals in farming is not something the small rural farmer can afford to over use. Sure the big boys with 10s of 1000s of rai will be capable of such a misuse. All the more reason to buy "organic".

There are trace levels of "essential" heavy metals in animal feeds and hence in their excrement, but this is insignificant compared to the quantity and range of heavy metals discharged by industry.

[joemisko36]

Come on General get an independent person down there now please. The people need clean water.