Akara says its gold mine operations in Phichit fully comply with laws and world standards
Play
AKARA Resources Plc recently defended its gold mine in Phichit, stressing its operation was of international standard and in full compliance with laws and regulations under guidelines from the Primary Industries and Mines Department.
The statement followed a call by representatives of communities in seven central provinces on May 14 for the Department of Special Investigation to probe the Akara gold mine, which they claim polluted their water sources and made hundreds of people sick in Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.
In the statement on Saturday, Akara CEO Pakorn Sukhum said the firm had arranged comprehensive health check-ups to be provided from March 26-27 for 337 people living within five kilometres of its Chatree mine, including 254 residents who had elevated levels of heavy metals in their blood.
The proceedings at the mine office in Phichit’s Tub Khlo district were observed by local officials and police, the statement said.
The diagnoses of all 337 residents showed “the level of elevated heavy metal readings had been reduced by the statistically significant margin of 95 per cent”.
The company also affirmed it would submit these results to the Mines Department, engage in dialogue with all parties and provide check-ups for locals in the mine’s vicinity every three months to keep track of their health.
This was more frequent than the annual medical check-ups required by its environmental health impact assessment, it said.
The company’s officials in the field have been assigned to ensure that local residents with higher heavy metal levels receive medical treatment in Bangkok. From April 22- May 1, the company sent 15 residents from around the mine to Ramathibodi Hospital to receive medical treatment and provide blood and urine samples for further heavy metal tests.
All 15 were found to be in good condition, the company said.
Akara has been actively working to address concerns raised about impacts on local communities and the environment and has strictly complied with guidelines under the terms of its Environmental Health Impact Assessment.
It had constructed a tailing pond with five layers of protection. Water sample analysis from various water quality assessment points were regularly taken and reported from around the project.
This information was provided to the Phichit industry office to prevent post-production chemical leaks. To control dust pollution, soil and sand are deposited in unused pits to minimise noise and dust fumes, it added.
