Chatree workers plead against gold-mine closure

The mine has been ordered to close by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, executives of Akara Resources, the firm that operates the mine, said there were no plans to take legal action against the government as they had yet to receive an official order from the Industry Ministry or the Primary Industry and Mines Department.

The Cabinet also decided on Tuesday to shut down Akara’s gold mine in Phichit’s Tap Khlo district to ease conflicts with neighbouring communities. The government has decided not to issue any new gold-exploration concessions or renew existing ones. 

Thongchai Teerachartdamrong, a resident of tambon Khao Jedluk in Phichit’s Tap Khlo district, said people living near the mine were very concerned about the closure. 

“The mine offers many job opportunities. It also supports job creation in the community and funds many good projects,” he said. 

“On the behalf of the people living near the gold mine, I want to call on the government to keep the mine open in order to protect our community from an economic disaster.” 

Komsan Kwankaew, a gold room supervisor, said that though he has been working with chemicals at the mine, he is still healthy and blood tests have not shown any significantly high heavy metals in his blood. 

“I am very worried about the mine’s closure, because it will cut a reliable source of income for the people and force us to go hunting for jobs elsewhere, which will separate families and destabilise the community,” Komsan said. 

Cherdsak Utha-aroon, chief of Akara’s corporate affairs, said the firm could not provide any information on the company’s stance because it has yet to receive any official documents. 

However, he called on the government to have some sympathy, because Akara has strictly followed regulations and the company was ready to cooperate with the authorities to help find the true origin of the pollution.

“I understand that the Industry Ministry wishes to resolve conflicts, but it wants to shut us down even though there is still no scientific evidence to prove that the pollution comes from the mine,” he said. 

“Therefore, I would like to ask the ministry to find out exactly what is having an impact on people’s health and environment, and if it can scientifically prove that we are the cause of the problems, then we are ready to comply with the Cabinet’s decision.” 

As for the future of the Chatree mine, Akara’s financial management chief Siroj Prasertphon said the gold-mining industry required big investment and the company had planned to operate the mine until the concession ended in 2028. The government’s decision, however, has shocked the company because it cannot change its plans in just seven months before shutting down, he said. 

“For now we still have to stick with our investment plan and operate the gold mine as per normal because we have not received an official order yet. We have spent close to Bt400 million per year on just operating costs, and have already spent Bt14 billion since the mine was opened. So we will definitely suffer huge losses if the mine has to close,” Siroj said. 

As for the environment restoration plan, Cherdsak said the mine has been working on restoring the environment alongside its mining operations, as per its Environmental and Health Impact Assessment report.

Sontirat Sontijirawong, adviser to the Industry Minister, said the mine-closure plan was in line with the government’s objective to look after the people and that the authorities had done everything according to law. 

“I can promise that the government is playing by the rules and if the company decides to sue us, then we will use facts to defend ourselves,” Sontirat said.