The operator of a gold mine in Loei's Wang Saphung district and local protesters have struck a deal under which the operator withdraws eight lawsuits against the group on the condition they end their blockade of the mine.
Representatives of Tungkum Limited (TKL) and protesters signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a meeting chaired by provincial governor Viroj Jivarangsan on Thursday at the Loei Provincial Office.
Loei provincial army commander Thalerngsak Pulsuwan attended the meeting to witness the signing.
Residents of six villages in Wang Saphung district have been protesting against TKL’s gold mine operation in their villages for more than eight years, claiming the mine has caused health and environmental impacts on local people.
The company had filed seven civil and criminal cases with the Loei Provincial Court since last year seeking 270-million-baht compensation from 33 villagers for allegedly trespassing and damaging the company’s property after they tried to block the road used for ore transport.
One libel case was filed at the Phuket Provincial Court this year. The company accused protest leader Surapan Rujichaiwat of damaging the company’s reputation during interviews he gave to a television news programme.
According to the MoU signed yesterday, TKL will submit the petition to the Loei Provincial Court to withdraw the seven cases by Monday, and to the Phuket Provincial Court to withdraw the case by Dec 20.
In exchange, villagers tomorrow will allow officials to remove their barricade blocking the road to the mine, and the company will move 1,600 tonnes of ore from the mine which has been temporarily shut down by the protest.
The ore will be moved on Monday and Tuesday, or after the company submits the petition to the courts.