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	The Udon Thani environment conservation group, headed by Manee Boonrawd, gathered at Udon Thani City Hall yesterday to protest against the efforts to allow potash mining in five tambons of Udon Thani&rsquo;s Prachaksinlapakhom district.</div>
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	The petition was received by Udon Thani deputy provincial governor Somwang Phoungbangpho. He agreed to set up a new committee to review the project with Somwang himself heading the committee.&nbsp;</div>
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	The potash-mining project, which was proposed by Asia Pacific Potash Corp, has met with strong opposition from the local environment group, as they stated the project will take a heavy toll on the the livelihood of the locals and the environment of their hometown.</div>
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	In September, a potash mine public hearing forum had faced criticism from opponents that the army and authorities backed the project by hosting the forum in the army camp.</div>
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	It was reported from the scene that soldiers were also seen monitoring the protest.</div>

Udon Thani group seeks ban on potash mining

A PETITION to stop the approval process for potash-mine concession was given to the Udon Thani deputy provincial governor by a local environmental group, amid concerns of a new push for potash mining approvals.