A mining company has denied using toxic metals that residents living near its operations in Phichit believe may have poisoned them.
Volunteer doctors, health activists and environmentalists on Wednesday travelled to Phichit to gather information about health problems of villagers living near gold mines in tambon Khao Jed Luk in Thap Khlo district.
Locals say the Pollution Control Department surveyed water wells around the mine site in 2010 and found high levels of heavy metals such as lead and manganese.
But Akara Resources Public Company Limited, the only major gold miner in the area, yesterday insisted the company does not use lead or manganese in its operations.
Chief executive officer Pakorn Sukhum said residents cited the Pollution Control Department's findings in a letter to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) calling for help to solve their health problems.
But he said their claims were yet to be verified by the Pollution Control Department.
The villagers living near the gold mines travelled to Bangkok on June 27 to submit their letter, which also asked the junta to help end a decade of conflicts between the mine operator and the villagers.
Mr Pakorn argued the locals' health problems must be unrelated to the mine, since neither lead nor manganese is used at any stage of the mining process.
He said internal and independent consultants conduct regular studies of water close to the mines and have confirmed heavy metal levels are within standard limits given the presence of natural bedrock in the area.
"Our Chatri Mining Complex is fully compliant with international best practice standards, including full ISO compliance, to protect the environment and surrounding communities," he said.
"These standards are inspected every quarter by authorities."
He said the company has recently conducted health checks of its staff, which came back clear, adding that Akara works closely with community representatives to ensure clear understanding of its health and safety measures.