Villagers, Loei mine operator end legal row
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A LONG-RUNNING dispute between villagers and a Loei gold-mine operator has been settled, with the residents agreeing to end their blockade of the mine and the company withdrawing lawsuits against them.
Provincial Governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan, |who mediated the meeting yesterday, said both sides had two days to comply before Thung Kha Co Ltd temporarily closed the mine for an upgrade that aimed to lessen its impact on the environment.
Speaking at the provincial courthouse, where the company withdrew eight lawsuits against |the villagers, Rak Ban Kerd protest group leader Suraphan Rujichaiwat said that while this dispute had been settled, protests would be continue against the company’s plan to operate two more mines.
Suraphan said the site of the original mine was not located in the right spot in ecological terms and its contamination of water sources needed to be monitored.
Over yesterday and today, it is expected that some 1,600 tonnes of gold, silver and copper ore will be transported from the mine, with the 67 trucks used in the operation protected by a small number of police and soldiers.
