The mine’s operator, Akara Resources, pledged to compensate the employees properly according to labour laws.

The letters were received on Wednesday and state that the employees in the mining department will be laid off by October and production-department employees will be laid off at the end of the year.

It was explained in the letter that the move was in accordance with the Cabinet’s recent decision to close the mine. In the meantime, the mine will operate as usual.

Employee Prafai Khongsomboon said he felt shocked about the decision because he did not think it would come soon.

“I was just thunderstruck. If I am dismissed from duty, it will have a tremendous effect on my family because I am the one who earns a living for the entire family,” he said. “I will lose all my income, which is spent for everyday expenses and tuition fees for my daughter.”

In a statement released yesterday, Akara Resources chief executive Greg Foulis said the company felt sorry for the employees, but it had to comply with the Cabinet’s decision.

He said the company had been informed by the Industry Ministry that its metallurgy licence would expire on December 31, 2016, which it regarded as “unfair” to the “company and especially the employees”.

He said the company had appealed against the mine-closure order to the Primary Industries and Mines Department, but there was still no answer.

To ensure that the gold mine’s employees are taken care of and compensated fairly, the company has to inform all the workers about the real situation, he said.

“The company appreciates the hard work of all the employees during the 15 years of operation. All the workers will be officially informed one month earlier before the dismissal and will receive compensation and benefits according to the labour law,” he said.

“Lastly, it was a hard decision to make, but we insist that we will do the best we can for every worker.”