Akara denies blame for death but helps ex-worker's family
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- MINING company Akara Resources has provided financial support to the family of a former employee who suffered from a fatal neurological disease. Akara Resources, in a statement released on Friday, stated that it paid Somkid Thampawet's family Bt453,014 as a result of the illness that killed him.

The company indicated that it took care of Somkid and claimed that his illness was not connected to his former position - mixing cyanide.

"There is no evidence to suggest his employment at Akara resulted in Somkid Thampawet being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Akara Resources welcomes proper scientific testing to determine the cause of his passing," the company said in its letter.

Akara Resources said that it properly assisted Somkid with financial aid during his treatment. It said that after he fell sick and stopped working in April 2014, it paid him his full salary until his retirement was effective in August 2014.

During this time Akara said it also covered all of his medical bills.

The company said he also received the full retirement package rather than the physical retirement package and Bt7,000 to cover his medication.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Akara-denies-blame-for-death-but-helps-ex-workers--30268685.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-13

Grubby mining companies throughout SE Asia!

Grubby mining companies throughout SE Asia!

Grubby mining companies throughout SE Asia! the world.

Well according to Wiki on thee disease, they seem to be correct!

"The company indicated that it took care of Somkid and claimed that his illness was not connected to his former position - mixing cyanide."

Of course not. Mixing cyanide is completely harmless. Everyone in corporate knows that.

Edited September 13, 201510 yr by Bluespunk

RIP the man.

"The company indicated that it took care of Somkid and claimed that his illness was not connected to his former position - mixing cyanide."

Of course not. Mixing cyanide is completely harmless. Everyone in corporate knows that.

Err cyanide wouldnt cause the neurological illness the guy had, pissing around with heavy metals such as mercury might, so how sure are you that Somkid was not messing around with some "side line" metal extraction using mercury ? Big mining companies dont mess with mercury extraction anymore, but " free agents" do

I have already posted a reply to this case and I think a second opinion would be in order I think the lady would have a good chance of claiming more recompence from this firm .

Died from: "...a fatal neurological disease..."

Job: "...mixing cyanide..."

Doesn't take a neurologist to connect those dots.

Everyone knows Thailand and safety should never be uttered in the same sentence...oops, I just did!

I think it's time to force the CEO of this company to perform this mans job for a month without any protective equipment then lets see how safe he thinks it is. Scum bag.

If they were not responsible there is no way theu would have pain one satang.

Mixing this chemical is deadly without proper ventlilation breathing equipment!

"There is no evidence to suggest his employment at Akara resulted in Somkid Thampawet being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis"

They might well be right in this instance!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in their Draft document Toxicological Profile for Cyande (August, 1995) say on page 98, that (according to Kato et al 1985), "Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis possess a disorder in cyanide metabolism that may result in higher susceptibilty to cyanide". They go on to say that "No studies were located regarding the effects of cyanide exposure in humans or animals following any route of exposure. Therefore, no mechanism of carcinogenesis can be discussed" - the Kato reference is Kato T, Kameyama M, Nakamura S, et al., 1985, Cyanide metabolism in motor neuron disease, Acta Neurol Scand, 72:151-155.

That said, Akara may still need to take responsibility for the health of other people affected by its operations in Thailand, if the Syndey Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/thailand-shuts-down-australian-gold-mine-over-health-fears-20150114-12nrfd.html) and Mining.Com (http://www.mining.com/thai-gold-mine-said-poisoned-locals-allowed-reopen-91832/) articles are correct.

Akara has a social responsibility to it's workers and the community, one wonders whether the mixing of cyanide done in Thailand and mixing of cyanide in Akara's sister company's country would pass muster , , both international and local companies have demonstrated a callous disregard for both villagers and the environment in Thailand over the years and as I have called for before ( Mark ) the Mines, Environment and Health departments need to come up to international standards , strengthen the regulations, rules and authority, so prosecutions and show cause notices can be issued.

Edited September 13, 201510 yr by chainarong

Meanwhile back in Australia the same company owners comply with all the conditions imposed to make a workplace safer....but thts back in Australia.

Well I did an environmental audit on this mine about 10 years ago and it met all the standards of any mine in the world in terms of cyanide handling/mixing/storing.

Sorry to say....they aren't at fault for this.

Well I did an environmental audit on this mine about 10 years ago and it met all the standards of any mine in the world in terms of cyanide handling/mixing/storing.

Sorry to say....they aren't at fault for this.

Sorry to say but 10 years ago is a long time and as we all know, planned audits never show "normal" operating procedure.