"Environmental 'disaster' at Akara", 25 March 2018

Findings of toxic contamination from Akara Resources' gold mine have been hailed as significant scientific confirmation of an environmental disaster in Phichit, an environmental science academic has warned.

Chainarong Sretthachau...also urged authorities to take immediate action on the issue.

That finding of leakage was seen by many as very significant, especially considering the ongoing arbitration proceedings between Kingsgate Consolidated and the Thai government over a closure order brought against the mine.

The research result might be used to support the Thai government’s decision to suspend the gold mine’s operations.

There have been reports of sicknesses among the people living around the gold mine, with blood and urine tests in 2014 and 2015 showing that many people exhibiting harmful levels of cyanide, manganese and arsenic.

“The most important issue that the related agencies have to execute first is the impacts to the people’s health. The local residents around the gold mine have been suffering from the illnesses for a very long time, but there is still no concrete measure to help the people,” Chainarong said