Part of Akara Gold Mine in Phichit’s Thap Khlo district is being eyed for development as the province’s new mountain bike arena, which will also double as a training centre of international standard for the national team’s athletes.

Anti-gold-mining activists on Monday submitted a petition to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), urging the agency to accelerate the investigation and prosecution of Akara Resources in regard to the case of allegedly unlawful use of public land and a public road for its mining operations.