Our mine is not the source of heavy metals in locals' blood, Akara Resources says
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AKARA Resources has dismissed any suggestion that its gold mine in the North is responsible for elevated levels of manganese and arsenic in locals' blood.
The public company released a statement in response to recent news reports that tests by the Central Institute of Forensic Science and Rangsit University showed hundreds of local people in northern provinces including Phichit were contaminated with heavy metals.
Lately, several Akara officials have come forward to address problems allegedly caused by its gold mining operation.
“Akara Resources does not use manganese and arsenic in any of its operations,” chief executive officer Pakorn Sukhum said in the statement.
The company said an investigation by an internationally recognised environmental specialist, commissioned in early 2014, confirmed that the mining operation was not the source of elevated arsenic or manganese in surrounding areas.
“We take the health of local people, employees and the environment very seriously,” Pakorn said.
According to the statement, the company tested 598 employees as well as contractors for a number of compounds, including arsenic and manganese, and they were all well below World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds for this type of work.
It had also undertaken extensive testing of drinking water around the mine and International Organisation for Standardisation-accredited national healthcare systems stated: “The results show that concentrations of all metals are lower than the limit values of the WHO regulation.
“Thus the water is suitable for drinking.”
Yesterday, Akara collected tap-water samples from Phichit’s Tab Khlo district following complaints that locals felt itchy after using tap water.
“Preliminary tests show the acidity level is within standard limits,” said Pratuan Pheungjui, who works for the company’s environment division.
Pratuan said he had worked for the company for more than |six years without health problems.
“I have undergone blood tests and there is no contamination detected,” he said.
Pratuan said he would continue working for the gold mine.
