The Industry Ministry has ordered the country's largest gold miner to suspend its operation in Pichit province for 30 days and to examine whether its activity adversely affected the health of villagers in the area.
The Chatree mine in Phichit province. (Company file photo)
Surapong Thienthong, director general of the Primary Industries and Mines Department, signed the order on Tuesday.
He acted after the results of random urine and blood tests on villagers in the area showed above-standard arsenic and manganese levels.
Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director gerenal of the Justice Ministry's Central Institute of Forensic Science, conducted the tests randomly on 732 villagers around the mine, located in Khao Jet Luk subdistrict, Thap Khlo district.
The order said Akara had failed to report the ministry within 15 days as required after it was told to take the affected people for immediate treatment.
"We are of the opinion the mining might have affected the health of villagers so we order the suspension for 30 days from the date the company receives the letter. The purpose is to determine whether the health hazards were caused by the company's operation," the order said.
Failure to comply may result in licence revocation and Akara may appeal the order within 15 days.
Manager Online reported Akara had already told the news to its 1,000 employees and stopped the operation.
Akara, a 48%-owned subsidiary of Australia-based Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd, owns the Chatree mining complex in Phichit and Phetchabun provinces.
It has faced complaints and lawsuits filed by communities and villager groups over the years, mainly related to the environment and health.