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Thailand’s military regime, which ordered the shutdown of the country’s gold mining and exploration industry last week, is set to force Australian-owned Chatree mine to close up shop by the end of May, a senior industry ministry official said on Wednesday.
“We need to be cautious and thorough before we submit this, but it will definitely be done soon,” the source, who was referring to the official notification, told Reuters.
Australian-owned Chatree mine has been the target of environmental protests over alleged contamination of nearby villagers.
Chatree, located 280 kilometres north of Bangkok, is Thailand’s only active gold mine and has been the target of environmental protests over alleged contamination of nearby villagers.
Owner Kingsgate Consolidated, through its local unit Akara Resources, has denied accusations and repeatedly said it would not stop operations until receiving formal notice from the government.
In April last year, authorities ordered a 44-day suspension of activities at Chatree after random urine and blood tests showed above-standard arsenic and manganese levels in people living close to the mine.
But Kingsgate executive chairman, Ross Smyth-Kirk, said at the time that arsenic and manganese had not been used or stored at Chatree at any time in its history, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The open cut operation, which began operations in 2001, is Thailand’s largest gold mine and employs almost 1,000 workers.
As per March this year, it had produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold.
2 Comments
Altaf
If the mine has produced 1.8 million ounces in 15 years, it is producing around 4 tons per anum which is not a small figure. In the national interest, the govt must investigate the source of arsenic and manganese and if what the miner says is true, it should be allowed to continue operations. After all it is supporting 1000 jobs.
If we assume conspiracy theory, it goes something like this.
May be some military officials wanted free meals (bribes or share of the produce or some other sort). When the miner refused, the officials instigated some one to oppose the ops in the name of environment. Once the miner is kicked out of the country (in the name of poisoning people) they will keep the mine locked up for a few years and then say there is no threat of poison and will auction off the mine to some fictious companies run by the relatives of the same officials.
It is better for a transparent investigation to find out what is the real source of heavy metals in nearby people and take decision.
manuelcdiaz
The only way for the foreign Mining company to recoup its investment is to file a case against Thailand in the International Court in Hague!