Locals rise up against govt’s mining plan

A number of communities are preparing to file legal actions against the government after it approved a master program for mine activity in the nation late last month, which they claim will endanger their natural resources and the atmosphere.

This has become a challenging issue in many communities that live close to mine areas, according to Chutamas Srihattapadungkit, project coordinator for public policy on mineral resources ( PPM).

After the state approved the second version of its mine action master strategy last November, the locals have complained to civic organizations about the potential serious harm to people’s health and the environment.

Ms. Chutamas noted that because the place is regarded as the country’s main source of potassium minerals, the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has a clear plan to support and promote sodium mining in the Northeastern area, particularly in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, and Udon Thani.

Because limestone mountains are significant sources of water for farming clusters, she said, rock mining is also a concern.

” If our environment is to be made better, it should not have any mining activity. We are now looking into details in order to submit a complaint to the Supreme Administrative Court, requesting the removal of this mining zone from the plan, she said.

Pranom Somwong, from Protection International, said the mining plan goes against the government’s policy of building a low- carbon economy and its global commitment to save the world from warming temperatures.

Supaporn Malailoy, from the Enlaw Thai Foundation, said living in a clean environment is a basic right for all human beings.

According to him, the government should make sure people can live in areas where the environment or other activities are unhealthy.