Thai Struggle Against Canadian Mine Gains Momentum

Thai Struggle Against Canadian Mine Gains Momentum

22 Spetember 2003

from MiningWatch Canada

The struggle of Thai villagers and local organisations against the plans of Canadian mining company Asia Pacific Resources (APR) [http://www.apq-potash.com/] to mine potash under the fertile agricultural region of Udon Thani is picking up steam (for background information see the issues section of our web site [http://www.miningwatch.ca/issues.html#anchor518996]) According to local sources, the majority of villagers in some 44 villages already oppose the mine. Now villagers report that the huge army base located next to the proposed mine has also come out against the project, as well as the School of Nursing and a Cancer Research Institute, both of which are located within three kilometres of the proposed mine. APR's shares had been moving steadily downward until an anonymous buyer recently bought 5 million shares. Nonetheless, APR's failure to convince local people or the Thai government to support the project is delaying the project and may be responsible for the recently-reported sacking of local villagers employed by APR, leading to further lack of confidence in APR locally.

There is also ongoing uncertainty over whether APR will be required to submit a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Its current EIA has been thoroughly critiqued by independent scientists as not containing adequate information and environmental protections. The EIA may also not be applicable under the new Minerals Act. Meanwhile, Richard Knight, Managing Director of Inco Australia Management Pty Ltd., has just resigned from APR's board or directors.