THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

High-profile group opposes private gold mining and licence renewal

High-profile group opposes private gold mining and licence renewal

A GROUP of high-profile academics and former politicians have rallied opposition against the renewal of Akara Resources’ gold mining licence and the company’s plan to open a new gold mine, arguing that the gains from the new concession would not be worth

The Civil Society to Reform Resources and Gold also urged the government to designate gold as distinct from other ores covered by the Mineral Act so as to preserve it as a national treasure and forbid private companies from operating mining concessions.
The group, including prominent academic Prof Rapee Sagarik, met yesterday at Rangsit University to sign a statement intended for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha petitioning him to deny Akara Resources’ licence renewal, advocate for environmental and healthcare remedies for people affected by gold mining, and oppose the opening of new mines nationwide.
Former Bangkok senator Rossana Tositrakul said revenue from gold mine concessions cannot compensate for the environmental damage and adverse health effects.
“The government only receives Bt300 million annually from the gold mine concessions. This amount is too little compared to the overall revenue of the government, but we are sacrifice large areas of forestland, people’s livelihoods and the healthy environment for this sum of money. Is that worth it?” Rossana said.
Former Nakhon Ratchasima senator Kraisak Choonhavan added that income for the state from gold mine concessions could not compare with the profits of Akara Resources, which has made as much as Bt59 billion from gold mining in the country. 
“Many people around the gold mines become sick and even die. The cost of a human life cannot be estimated, so I want to warn the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] to consider carefully this licence renewal,” Kraisak alleged.
“I hope that the NCPO will not only see the short-term economic benefits regarding the matter and not ignore the long-term effects to the people and environment.”
In March, the results of blood tests performed on 1,004 people who live near the gold mine in Pichit were released. It showed that 675 people had higher levels of heavy metals in their blood than the safe limit. Of the 297 children tested, 220 had elevated levels of heavy metal contamination.
 
‘National treasure’
Dr Nirand Pitakwatchara, a former National Human Rights commissioner, said revenue from gold mine concessions never benefited the people who were most affected by mining operations, which often involved trans-border human rights violations perpetrated by multinational conglomerates.
“What I am concerned about is the unjust law enforcement. The real cause of the problem is our governmental system that gives too much benefit to the investors, but does not properly protect the people,” Nirand said.
Kraisak argued that it was improper to open new gold mines in the country, even though the country is believed to have as much as 700 tonnes of gold reserves, because gold should be preserved for future generations and the government instead should focus on promoting the agricultural economy and supporting people’s well-being.
Akara Resources’ mining licence is due to expire on May 13. On Saturday the ministers for Public Health minister, Natural Resources and Environment, Industry, and Science and Technology will visit the company’s Chatree Mining Complex to inspect the operation as part of considerations about extending its licence.
During the event yesterday, Arom Khamjing on behalf of the Civil Society to Reform Resources and Gold read the proposal to the government, saying gold should be protected as national wealth under a special law separate from the Mineral Act.
“Gold is the treasure of all Thai people and an insurance for national economic stability. The government should not give away the concession to private investors to harvest our national treasure,” Arom said.
 
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