AKARA RESOURCES will today announce its stance and follow-up action in the wake of the government decision to end its mining operations by year-end.

The firm yesterday said its chief financial officer Siroj Prasertphon and its corporate affairs chief would answer all questions at a press conference to be held this afternoon.

Cherdsak Utha-aroon, the firm’s corporate affairs chief, said yesterday that the closure would affect some 4,000 people – about 1,000 who work at the mine, and others who work for partnering companies.

He said Akara Resources had not yet decided whether it would take legal action against the government, because it has yet to see a written notification from the Industry Ministry.

However, Cherdsak believes the government’s move might be illegitimate given that there has been no clear-cut conclusion from the committee established jointly by the Industry and the Public Health ministries.

“Though heavy metals exist in the area, its level has not increased over the years and neither has its existence affected the health of people,” Cherdsak insisted.

The government decided to order the shut down partly due to complaints from locals, who insist that their health and environment are at risk.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday in response to growing speculation that Akara Resources said the firm could petition the court if it felt it suffered damages from the government’s move.

The government said it is not worried about being hit with lawsuits from firms affected by its recent decision to not issue any new gold-mining concessions and to not extend Akara Resources’ metallurgy licence beyond this year.

“If any company believes it has suffered damages from the decision, it can lodge a complaint in court,” Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday in response to growing speculation that Akara Resources might initiate lawsuits in protest over the decision.

The Cabinet on Tuesday resolved not to renew the licences of gold mines.

Disease Control Department director-general Dr Amnuay Gajeena, meanwhile, said that relevant units of the Public Health Ministry would coordinate to help those affected.

“We are implementing a five-year plan to take care of their health,” he said.

The Health Department has the responsibility to ensure that people are living in a healthy environment and have access to safe food and water, he said.

“The department is monitoring all 8,000 people living near the mine, and is particularly looking out for illnesses related to work and heavy metal toxins,” Amnuay said.

He has also promised to ensure that people who have fallen sick due to heavy metal toxicity get proper treatment from local hospitals. “If their illness is serious, they can be transferred to Phichit Hospital and even to Ramathibodi Hospital,” he said, adding that his department had received a budget of Bt2 million for this operation.

However, Maha Sarakham University lecturer Chainarong Sretthachau said he believes the government has yet to address the issue of impacts the mining operations have been having.

“So far there have been no clear-cut plans on rehabilitating the environment outside the mine. That’s worrying because without this rehabilitation people will have to endure pollution for generations, even though the mine is being closed down,” Chainarong commented.

Akara Resources is not the only company being affected by the government’s latest decision regarding gold exploration and mining.