Thai junta orders all gold mines shuttered

By Arun Saronchai

BANGKOK (AA) - Thailand’s military government has issued an executive order ordering the closure of all gold mines in the country by the end of the year and prohibiting all further gold explorations.

The move comes after prolonged protest by civilian and rights groups who have alleged damage to the environment and the health of those living in the vicinity of the mines.

In its order published in the Royal Gazette late Tuesday, the military said that the decision was made after considering the impact to the environment and the lives of locals.

In addition to closing down existing mines, the junta also ordered companies involved in gold mining operations to pay for an environmental clean up in areas around defunct mines.

Thailand has only one operating gold mine left, run by Akara Resources, a subsidiary of Australian company Kingsgate Consolidated.

A government probe at Akara's gold mine in central Thailand found a high level of arsenic in villagers after locals held a months long campaign claiming that mining operations had polluted the groundwater and crops.

Akara denied the allegations and stated in May that there was no evidence that the pollution and health problems were tied to the mine.

Under the new order, its license is due to expire by the end of the year and it will not be renewed.

Akara could not be reached for comment by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.