Gold miner Akara still waiting for govt reply to lawsuit threat

[webfact]

Gold miner Akara still waiting for govt reply to lawsuit threat
By The Nation

 

PHICHIT: -- An Australian gold-mining conglomerate said yesterday that the Thai government had not contacted it about the company’s threat file a lawsuit over a closure order, and that the company was seeking a meeting with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd chief executive officer Greg Foulis released a letter stating that their Thai-controlled subsidiary, Akara Resources Public Company Ltd, had ceased production at the Chatree gold mine on New Year Eve and was currently proceeding with rehabilitation of the site.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30303370

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-04

 

[Bluespunk]

The email's in the Ethernet.

[Thechook]

Don't hold your breath farangs, you invested millions in Thailand and now it's all theirs.  Next farang suckerer who wants to invest in Thailand please step forward.

[Thechook]

3 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

The email's in the Ethernet.

Did it go into that single gateway thingy where nothing gets in or out of Thailand?

[maoro2013]

Last I heard the government wanted wanted Akara to delay the lawsuit until the law was changed. This would be very convenient to the government I am sure.

 

If I was Akara, I would not hold back.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

If I remember correctly this is the same mine where the water that was used in the mining was pumped into a river without treatment. The result was fish dying and the locals started to complain. Test was done on the water and it showed lethal levels of heavy metals. Their complaints was met with the owners/management using local military to intimidate the population. After the peoples noise became too loud the mine was closed. So be careful about placing the blame only on government as these miners may have caused their own problems. 

[ChrisY1]

6 minutes ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

If I remember correctly this is the same mine where the water that was used in the mining was pumped into a river without treatment. The result was fish dying and the locals started to complain. Test was done on the water and it showed lethal levels of heavy metals. Their complaints was met with the owners/management using local military to intimidate the population. After the peoples noise became too loud the mine was closed. So be careful about placing the blame only on government as these miners may have caused their own problems. 

Any chance of a link to your claims.....and are you sure it was Akara?

[Brer Fox]

Here is a story from the ABC in Australia published on 16/12. It gives interesting information about the situation. You can read where an offer to buy the major share of the company has been made by one Thai businessman Chatchai Yenbamroong who says he has access to "decision" makers (military?) in Thailand that Kingsgate lacked.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/kingsgate-to-seek-compensation-from-thai-government-mine-closure/8126340

 

Note the key points:

• Military junta used article 44 to confirm the mine must shut down by the end of the year
• Kingsgate said the decision was unreasonable and would scare off foreign investors
• 1,000 local Thai staff will lose their jobs at the mine
• "In the mining sector there's no way any reasonable overseas mining company will go there". The boss says.

 

This story is getting wide coverage in the Australian press and no doubt will go around the world. This mine closure is starting to stink to high heaven.

 

It also explains why there was so much bragging about exports numbers being up in November mainly due to gold shipments. Kingsgate were selling off all their available gold from the mine. Gold exports up  "staggering 72%" they crowed. The truth in Thai reporting is exposed for what it is....complete BS!

 

What a rotten smell this closure by the PM and his Article 44 has about it. 

 

The PM talks grandly about corruption and here we have a classic example being exposed where it starts right at the very top. Corruption it seems is getting worse. Here's hoping Kingsgate blows the lid right of this attempt to steal their assets.

[Brer Fox]

51 minutes ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

If I remember correctly this is the same mine where the water that was used in the mining was pumped into a river without treatment. The result was fish dying and the locals started to complain. Test was done on the water and it showed lethal levels of heavy metals. Their complaints was met with the owners/management using local military to intimidate the population. After the peoples noise became too loud the mine was closed. So be careful about placing the blame only on government as these miners may have caused their own problems. 

The government can produce no proof of any pollution.

The people's noise might be coming as a result of payment from some Thai businessman who is seeking to take the mine for himself. No doubt he needs the locals help to do just that. Read story above.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

5 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Any chance of a link to your claims.....and are you sure it was Akara?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-10/thailand-to-shut-largest-gold-mine-as-social-costs-top-benefits

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

5 hours ago, Brer Fox said:

Here is a story from the ABC in Australia published on 16/12. It gives interesting information about the situation. You can read where an offer to buy the major share of the company has been made by one Thai businessman Chatchai Yenbamroong who says he has access to "decision" makers (military?) in Thailand that Kingsgate lacked.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/kingsgate-to-seek-compensation-from-thai-government-mine-closure/8126340

 

Note the key points:

• Military junta used article 44 to confirm the mine must shut down by the end of the year
• Kingsgate said the decision was unreasonable and would scare off foreign investors
• 1,000 local Thai staff will lose their jobs at the mine
• "In the mining sector there's no way any reasonable overseas mining company will go there". The boss says.

 

This story is getting wide coverage in the Australian press and no doubt will go around the world. This mine closure is starting to stink to high heaven.

 

It also explains why there was so much bragging about exports numbers being up in November mainly due to gold shipments. Kingsgate were selling off all their available gold from the mine. Gold exports up  "staggering 72%" they crowed. The truth in Thai reporting is exposed for what it is....complete BS!

 

What a rotten smell this closure by the PM and his Article 44 has about it. 

 

The PM talks grandly about corruption and here we have a classic example being exposed where it starts right at the very top. Corruption it seems is getting worse. Here's hoping Kingsgate blows the lid right of this attempt to steal their assets.

Your maybe correct but there was tests that showed high arsenic levels in locals and the mine acknowledge using it in their mining. You can read the link.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/16/australian-controlled-thai-gold-mine-faces-charges-of-polluting-water-supply

[Batboy]

6 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

If I remember correctly this is the same mine where the water that was used in the mining was pumped into a river without treatment. The result was fish dying and the locals started to complain. Test was done on the water and it showed lethal levels of heavy metals. Their complaints was met with the owners/management using local military to intimidate the population. After the peoples noise became too loud the mine was closed. So be careful about placing the blame only on government as these miners may have caused their own problems. 

No this is not the mine. Your talking about Tungkum Gold Mine in Loei.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

1 minute ago, Batboy said:

No this is not the mine. Your talking about Tungkum Gold Mine in Loei.

Please see the links I posted under the above comments. Its the same mine.

[Brer Fox]

12 minutes ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Your maybe correct but there was tests that showed high arsenic levels in locals and the mine acknowledge using it in their mining. You can read the link.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/16/australian-controlled-thai-gold-mine-faces-charges-of-polluting-water-supply

Noted thank you. Noted also that The Guardian story is dated May 2015.

So far there are only accusations without documentary evidence. The government have failed so far to produce any evidence or publish proof of such claims to the company or anyone else. Unfounded accusations and bribes to accusers abound in Thailand when there is big money at stake such as this grab to claim ownership of the mine from the owners.

[Batboy]

1 minute ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Please see the links I posted under the above comments. Its the same mine.

Akara Chatree mine did not at all engage the military to sort our the locals. It was Tungkum Mine in Loei that did for their operation which is a totally different area. Akara also do not have a river beside the mine but Tungkum did where the tailings dam water broke through and discharged into it. Akara mine also has a detox plant to detox the tailing of chemicals before pumping the slurry to the tailings dam. The tailings dam is also lined to stop seepage into the ground. 

[Bureaucrat]

Seems like another dirty industry that should be shut down not just here but worldwide. Dumping toxic chemicals in our water, birth defects and miscarriages. Health ans safety abuses.Local people getting sick, we have seen it all before with multinationals exploiting the third world lack of controls.

These b*stards would never try it in the west. 

[IAMHERE]

Gold goes to 2000 dollars and ounce and that mine will reopen. Probably even get foreign investment because every business thinks his business is 'different'.

[debate101]

This international conglomerate that was trying to turn a profit by cozying up to a military junta while poisoning members of communities that risk grave retribution for speaking out about their own livelihoods has my deepest sympathies.

[Eric Loh]

Never give absolute power to someone who can't handle responsibilities. Clearly an abuse of article 44 power to close the mine. A good premise to bring the case to the international court. Maybe get him to pay for damages. That seem like sweet karma. 

[maoro2013]

On 04/01/2017 at 6:03 PM, Bureaucrat said:

Seems like another dirty industry that should be shut down not just here but worldwide. Dumping toxic chemicals in our water, birth defects and miscarriages. Health ans safety abuses.Local people getting sick, we have seen it all before with multinationals exploiting the third world lack of controls.

These b*stards would never try it in the west. 

Read the other quotes. Seems you have jumped to a wrong conclusion entirely. In fact the discussion has mentioned two different mines. Ankara not having a river nearby to discharge toxic waste, and secondly it sound a bit like the other mine may have have a accident with their tailings dam.

[ChrisY1]

On 1/4/2017 at 2:57 PM, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-10/thailand-to-shut-largest-gold-mine-as-social-costs-top-benefits

We've all read this report.....and the Thai government has only attempted to accuse Akara...Akara have completed sufficient testing to conclude that there has been no contamination by heavy metals...

[Boksida]

On 1/4/2017 at 3:21 PM, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Please see the links I posted under the above comments. Its the same mine.

Unfortunately you are incorrect. As other posters have pointed out, the problem was at Wang Saphung:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Loei_gold_mine_mob_attack

[chainarong]

They waited six years for the go ahead to extend the open cut admittedly there was a coup in the middle , Thailand has been a very expensive exercise for Ankara and sister company Kingsgate, I see they are promoting another country on their web site and so they should.......................................................

[baboon]

At the risk of asking a foolish question, what would happen if the government simply doesn't get back to them?

[wakeupplease]

On 04/01/2017 at 7:36 PM, Eric Loh said:

Never give absolute power to someone who can't handle responsibilities. Clearly an abuse of article 44 power to close the mine. A good premise to bring the case to the international court. Maybe get him to pay for damages. That seem like sweet karma. 

So looks like another Thai plane will get impounded in due course as they never pay compensation

I just hope the world business investors are watching this.

What next Mr Honda and Mr Toyota?

Thailand closed for business due to a small gateway

Very sad for Thai people

[Eric Loh]

30 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

So looks like another Thai plane will get impounded in due course as they never pay compensation

I just hope the world business investors are watching this.

What next Mr Honda and Mr Toyota?

Thailand closed for business due to a small gateway

Very sad for Thai people

 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/10/obscure-legal-system-lets-corportations-sue-states-ttip-icsid

 

Most time, the investors win in similar cases lodged with ICSID. Somehow I feel that this junta government will negotiate a settlement with Akara relenting on the lawsuit threat. It is lose lose situation if the junta refuse to negotiate and Akara proceed with the lawsuit. The arbitrary '44' closure of the mine without consultation and due diligence will be negative for the junta government in an international court case. 

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

4 hours ago, Boksida said:

Unfortunately you are incorrect. As other posters have pointed out, the problem was at Wang Saphung:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Loei_gold_mine_mob_attack

The report says different. As Akara did not publicy disputed the last analysis it stands. If they are innocent prove it in court by taking the government to court. Up to now we have conflicting reports, let a court decide.