The Industry Ministry has prepared a meeting with the company and asked for representatives from related agencies to form the official working group to discuss the issue with Kingsgate, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported on Thursday.

Primary Industries and Mines Department director-general Somboon Yindeeyoungyuen said that the Thai government respected the rights of the company to ask for their benefits from Thailand, under the Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Somboon said the government was considering the facts to find a solution.

However, he said the department still has to strictly comply with the gold mine closure order until it is changed. In the meantime the department was also trying to solve the gold mine problems, enhance local people’s livelihood and suggest a strategic plan to manage gold ore resources.