Aerial view of the Chatree mining complex, on March 22, 2023 in Phichit, Thailand (AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
Thailand’s largest gold mine, closed for seven years, reopened in March despite a previous ban and fears of pollution, an emblematic case in the kingdom where ecological causes clash with economic interests.
The Chatree mining complex poured its first gold and silver alloy ingot on Thursday, a victory for its Australian operator, Kingsgate, which is falling in full swing in the price of the precious metal.
On the markets, the ounce of gold exceeded 2,000 dollars for the first time in a year.
After seven years of pause, the resumption of activity offers job prospects for part of the population of the poor provinces of Pitchit, Phetchabun and Phitsalunok, in the rural North of Thailand.
But local residents are worried about the environmental fallout from the controversial site, which for nearly twenty years has mobilized environmental activists against it.
They had achieved a rare victory in 2016 when the then ruling junta ordered the precautionary closure of Chatree, after accusations of soil pollution linked to gold mining.
The government reversed its decision, under the threat of hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation that Kingsgate is claiming before an arbitration court.
Since its launch in November 2001, more than 50 tons of gold have been extracted from the complex, and nearly 2,500 tons of silver.
Molten gold flows through bars at the Chatree mining complex on March 23, 2022 in hichit, Thailand (AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
Akara Resources, the Thai subsidiary of Kingsgate, swears it has learned from its mistakes.
“We can expand and employ more people. There are more opportunities to help local communities,” Rob Kinnaird, an Akara Resources official, told AFP.
The company could triple its workforce in the coming years, to reach 700 employees, against 280 today – slightly less than before its closure (1,000 people).
While many in nearby communities hope to benefit economically from the reopening of the mine, others are concerned about noise from blasting, or dust.
“The explosions are so loud that the earth will shake,” said Dao Seehawatr, 59. “For people residing near the mine like me, I would first like to be relocated.”
Gold mining is also associated with the polluting chemicals used to separate valuable minerals from rock.
The Chatree mining complex on March 22, 2023 in Phichit, Thailand (AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
High levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, manganese or cyanide, detected in the blood of residents had fueled protest around the site more than ten years ago.
The operator denies any responsibility and promises to listen to the concerns of the inhabitants.
© 2023 AFP
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