Department of Primary Industries and Mines urges Akara Resources Public Company Limited to operate mine by adhering to laws, focusing on employing locals along with taking care of public health and the environment.
Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), Ministry of Industries, disclosed that the Minerals Committee approved Mining Licenses of Akara Resources Public Company Limited emphasizing that its operation adhering to laws, focusing on employing locals along with taking care of public health and the environment.
Mr. Nirun Yingmahisaranon, Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, on 21 January 2022 at 9:00 am, invited the managing director of Akara Resources Public Company Limited to take up and adhere to processing policies as well as instructed the Company to: operate its business in accordance with the mineral laws and other relevant laws; adhere to license’ conditions; and provide employment for local people and those who live in the surrounding area, in order to generate income to the local communities and establish good relationships with them. With respect to the monitoring of public health and environmental quality for both the operational and surrounding area, the Company is reminded to promote, assist, take care of and develop the local communities, as well as pay attention to the management of various funds, such as the health surveillance fund and development fund for villages surrounding the mine; so that the mining operations will be generally welcomed and able to coexist with the local communities in a sustainable way.
In October 2020, the Minerals Committee, established under the Minerals Act B.E. 2560 (2017), considered and approved 44 special prospecting licenses for gold for Chon Dean and Wang Pong District, Phetchabun Province, submitted in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Following compliance with the Gold Mineral Management Policy Framework and the Minerals Act B.E. 2560 (2017), DPIM granted SPL nos. 3/2563 - 46/2563, each with a period of five years, valid from 26 October 2020 until 25 October 2025. The mineral prospecting is subject to consent of the landlord. In addition, if the mineral prospecting is conducted by way of drilling, then area restoration shall be implemented thereafter in accordance with the proposed mineral prospecting plan.
Later, in December 2021, the Minerals Committee considered and approved renewal of four gold and silver mining licenses for open-pit mining. These renewed licenses are Mining License No. 25528/14714 for Thai Dong Sub-district, Wang Pong District, Phetchabun Province; and Mining License Nos. 26910/15365, 26911/15366 and 26912/15367 in Khao Chet Luk Sub-district, Tab Khlo District, Phichit Province. The renewal period is 10 years for each license. Thus, the DPIM granted renewal of the four licenses, valid from 30 December 2021 until 29 December 2031. Furthermore, the DPIM granted renewal of Metallurgical Processing License No. 1/2551 to the Company for the processing of gold by way of hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy in Khao Chet Luk Sub-district, Tab Khlo District, Phichit Province; and Thai Dong Sub-district, Wang Pong District, Phetchabun Province. The renewal period is five years, from 19 January 2022 until 18 January 2027. All applications were submitted by the Company under the Minerals Act B.E. 2510 (1967). Subsequently, additional documents in support of the applications were submitted in accordance with the Minerals Act B.E. 2560 (2017), and certain procedures have been followed as required by the Gold Mineral Management Policy Framework.
“The grant of special prospecting and metallurgical processing licenses, as well as the above renewals of mining licenses is aimed at: supporting industries in Thailand to obtain gold and silver raw materials from a local source; reduce imports of said gold and silver; support economic growth; and improve the income and quality of life of people living in the surrounding communities – especially during the current economic downturn and decrease of income among the local population during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Company also needs to operate responsibly towards the environment and the local communities” Mr. Nirun commented at the end.
24 January 2022
