In 2009, natural water sources in the area were found to be contaminated with heavy metals, prompting the Loei provincial public health office to issue a warning to locals not to drink the water.
Mr Surapan added the rice yield in the area has fallen 30-50% since the mining started.
"We suspect this might be because of toxic contamination from gold mining," he said.
However, Tungkum Co operations manager Sorapong Limpatchayopas, who met the NHRC, insisted the mine followed every rule and regulation strictly.
"It's not fair to brand us as the cause of the problems," Mr Sorapong said.
Locals' concerns intensified in late October when cracks were found in the soil wall of an ore tailing pond, resulting in cyanide contamination of an agricultural area nearby.
No comments:
Post a Comment