Govt takes action against TPI for alleged illegal mining
THE DEPARTMENT of Primary Industries and Mines has filed civil and criminal charges against TPI Polene for unauthorised mining and seeks damages for the state in excess of Bt6 billion.
Director-general Chat Hongtiamchant said yesterday that Saraburi and state agencies’ officials discovered that TPI Polene had engaged in unauthorised mining outside the mineral lease, or concession area, on July 24, 2014.
The department filed a civil complaint with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division seeking compensation of Bt4.34 billion for illegal mining.
Last year, TPI Polene also allegedly engaged in illegal mining at the same concession area and mined in the “buffer zone” of the company’s concession area, where mining is not allowed. This prompted the department to file more complaints – one criminal and two more civil.
For TPI Polene’s renewed mining in the concession area, the state seeks damages of Bt327.68 million. In the civil complaint against TPI Polene for mining in the buffer zone, the state seeks damages of Bt1.67 billion.
The department has proceeded with civil and criminal proceedings against TPI Polene, totalling five cases.
Investigators are gathering witnesses and evidence for the two criminal cases, which will be proposed to the prosecutor for consideration.
As for the three civil cases, the department has filed for damages against TPI Polene totalling Bt6.34 billion.
The matter is in the court-proceeding stage. The department will notify the public of new developments of this case, Chat said.
