Mining and Women Forum in Bangkok (1)

On 21-22 October 2015, we organised a public forum to disseminate key findings from this project to all stakeholders. We are impressed by the participation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Education from the Australian Government, MMG company and Vilabouly community representatives. We also gathered with research team from the National University of Laos, Mahidol University, and delegates from Rajamongkol University. 

 The first day of the forum was filled with key findings from the research project. We started with the concept of mining and women. The literature on mining and women from international development, business and management and gender studies were compared and examined. We confirmed to the audiences that roles of women in mining industry are tremendous and that point has to be widely and openly discussed among key stakeholders in mining in all countries, including Lao and Thailand.

Three important aspects of the influence of mining on women were presented and discussed among participants. They include (1) economics and employment issues, (2) health impacts, and (3) educational provision. From the project we learnt that these three impacts can be positively and negatively influence life and well-being of women in the mining community.

 One key output from this project is a book on mining and women in Laos and Thailand, which is contributed by all team members and edited by Associate Professor Nattavud Pimpa, principal investigator of the project. The book included key points from the research on mining and employment, switched gender-roles of women in mining in Laos, and health and education consequences of mining industry. 

 

Mining and Women in Lao PDR and Thailand Forum

On 21-22 October 2015, our team will organise a public forum to disseminate findings from the project on mining and women in Lao PDR and Thailand. The key focus of the forum will include:
- Socio-economic impacts of mining in Vilabouly and Tabklor Mining communitites;
- Mining and its effect on women;
- Mining and economic empowerment for women and girls;
- Mining and health and education influence on women; and
- Mining and gender-specific roles in modern Lao and Thai contexts.

The event will be held at the Sukosol Hotel and will be well attended by delegates from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mining Companies from Lao PDR and Thailand, researchers from Australian, Lao and Thai universities, and policy makers.
Please contact nattavud.pimpa@rmit.edu.au for registration.

75th Academy of Management (2)

Our project presentation at the academy of management meeting went very well. The presentation was well attended and discussed by various academics from 'social issues in management' division of the academy. The key questions from the audiences include:

1) What are they roles mining MNCs play in promoting and empowering women in rural area?
2) Are there any other health, environmental and human rights impacts on women?
3) What are the process in employing women in Thailand and Laos to work in mining MNCs? What positions? What roles?
4) What will be the future of women in mining industry?

These questions are related to what we have been doing in the last two years in Laos and Thailand. We hope that our report will also confirm some points on women engagement in mining industry.

                                                      Paper Discussion with the audiences

We also met with representatives from key journals and publishing companies (such as Business & Society, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, and Greenleaf publishing) to discuss potential publications of our project in the forms of book, book chapter and journal articles with them. Issues on editorial process and the selection of publishing process were discussed and I learnt a number of new ideas on this important aspect of our project.

                                         Working with Colleagues at the Academy of Management

                                          Prof. Mintzberg at the Academy of Management

                                                                        Our Session 

                                     Speech by the President of the Academy of Management 

I am delighted with the interactions with (and connections from) various international researchers at the academy of management. One strong message that I learnt from this conference is we (academics and practitioners) need to improve our work on management responsibility with younger generations. We can advocate our ideas through education and learning as well as various other social gatherings and arenas. Most researchers in our area believe that research and education on social responsibility must be embedded in various elements and levels of education.

                                                View from Vancouver Convention Centre

                                              View from Vancouver Convention Centre

75th Academy of Management Conference

This year marks the 75th year of the academy of management meeting. Vancouver is the host city for this year AOM meeting and it is my pleasure to be able to present our project at this important international forum.

The first day of the conference is busy as usual and I attended three professional development workshops and one presentation, focusing on international management and entrepreneurship.

The key foci of international management include chanes in IM educators, students and the subject matters. Are we teaching IM that matches societal and business changes? how to create global professorship that response to today's learners and business structure? And more importantly, how can we decide the curriculum that is truly global?

I was impressed by the quality of this year professional development programs from international management division. This is simply because they have addressed the concept of changes in modern business and business education, curriculum and context.

The entrepreneurship aspect is similar to what we learnt from this project. The fact that entrepreneurial mindset can be an effective way to promote equity in modern economy.

In sum, the first day is full of interesting and timely conversation on how to promote management education as a tool for development.

Project Presentation and Best Paper Award at the Sino-ASEAN Conference

 Our team presented the findings of this project at the Sino-ASEAN International Conference hosted by Siam University from 15-16 June 2016, The conference was also co-hosted by Guanxi University of Finance and Economics from China.

Amidst all these conferences organized, significant topics are drafted, presented, and researched on the national interest of Thailand in being part of the ASEAN. Thailand as the third largest economy among her ASEAN compatriots inclined to take measures in the adaptation of ideas from different perspectives from scholars and academic elites who deliver speeches on the benefits of China-ASEAN relation. Due to this gradual progress, programs are planned, projected and achieved to inform the people of Thailand about the forthcoming ASEAN integration.

The focus of our presentation is on how mining MNCs affect socio-economic status of women in Thailand and Laos. More importantly, we tried to compare our findings from both countries to discuss potential impact from the forthcoming AEC in the region.

Siam University has made known to the public that one of its preserved lofty goals is to ensure that the ASEAN integration comes to its fulfilment in any possible means.

Below are the topics that were presented by the professors on that day, in case of necessity if any further research would be consulted on the same topics;

Dr. Vijit Supinit: ASEAN Financial Integration – a linkage to ASEAN plus countries;

Hai Yuan Gan: Empirical Study of Constructing Nanning Regional Financial Center under New Circumstances – A Comparative Research among Nanning, Kunming and Guiyang;

Ying Li & Xing Fang: A Study on Credit System of Cross-broader E-commerce from the Perspective of the Game Theory;

Nutthorn Kongthon & Pornpong Sakdapat: 1970’s China’s Banking Reform: Lesson learn from Thai banking sector;

Huang Rongzhe: Research on Innovative Development on Risk Control of the Third-Party Payment Platform Cross-Broader RMB Business;

Qin Qiang: The Equalization Effect of Different Categories of Intergovernmental Transfers in GuagXi of China;

Hataikan Nikornpongsin: Thai Economy, LTF/RMF are Sustained Investment within Fiscal and Monetary policy as Mechanism of Micro Economics;

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa & Dr Timothy Moore: Gender and Mining: How Mining Multinational Corporation Promote Women?

Nuttapol Vongchavalitkul, Busaya Vongchavalitkul& Teerayuth Pusanthank: Employee’s Motivation and Commitment in one Thai public Organization;

Huang Wufeng: The Study of the Application of E-commerce System in Sino-Thai Tourism Industry;

Noppawan Siriphol: Driving Growth in Thailand’s Tourism Sector: Strategic Benchmarking and Policy Recommendations;

Teetima Piyasirisilp: Achieving the ASEAN Economic Community 2015: Opportunities for Thai Hotel Industry;

Kimtao Ten: Linkage Between Chi Phat Community-based Ecotourism and Agriculture in Sustainable Tourism Development;

Lavanchawee Sujarittanonta: Potential of ASEAN Culture for the Chinese Market: Perspective of Young ASEAN Entrepreneurial Minds;;

Dr. Toni Momiroski: ASEAN Integration: The Folly of Bigness;

Yhing Sawheny: Dream for Future of ASEAN.

At the end of the conference, we are delighted to share with you that we have been awarded "Best Paper Award" from the committee of the conference. This is a true honour for our team to be acknowledged by the scholar community in the region.

Our presentation: Asia@RMIT

Asia@RMIT: Nattavud Pimpa on Australian-Thai Mining MNC: a business lesson in failed community engagement

Presenter: Assoc Prof Nattavud Pimpa
School of Management, College of Business
Date and Time: Wednesday 10 June 2015, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Place: 80.11.09

Title: Australian-Thai Mining MNC: a business lesson in failed community engagement

Abstract: In February, the Thai Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Mines ordered the 30-day suspension of activities of Akara resources, a Thai gold mining subsidiary of Australia’s Kingsgate Consolidated Limited. The suspension followed a protracted dispute between Akara and local villagers. The locals claimed – and this was voiced predominantly by women – they had been adversely affected by the mine’s activities. Based on our fieldwork in this mining community, this presentation will discuss key management and CSR issues that led to the current dispute among various stakeholders.

The project has been funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the AusAID Development Research Award (ADRAS).

A light lunch will be provided.

When	Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:30pm – 1:30pm Eastern Time - Melbourne, Sydney
Where	80.11.09 (map) Please come and join our project presentation.

Mining and Development: Our paper has been accepted at the 2015 Academy of...

Mining and Development: Our paper has been accepted at the 2015 Academy of...: Our paper on 'mining MNCs and gender equity in Mekong countries' has been accepted to present at the forthcoming 75th Academy of Man...

Our paper has been accepted at the 2015 Academy of Management

Our paper on 'mining MNCs and gender equity in Mekong countries' has been accepted to present at the forthcoming 75th Academy of Management annual meeting in Vancouver.

Key points from this paper will include findings from our fieldwork in both Laos and Thailand regarding power and relationships among Mining MNCs, women and their community. It is our hope that the findings from this project will promote ongoing dialogue on international business and community engagement.

The 75th annual meeting of the academy of management will be held in August 2015 in British Columbia, Canada. The program theme is Opening Governance which is relevant to our project and paper. This them invites all AOM members to consider opportunities to improve the effectiveness and creativity of organizations by restructuring systems at the highest organizational level, and to try to answer the many questions organizational governance faces in today's digital and informational climate.

In our research project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we investigate various socio-economic impacts of mining as a powerful international industry in two countries in Mekong area: Laos and Thailand. The impacts of mining industry are multi faceted. Mining activities might be painted as a collective effort of a bunch of rapacious monsters, keen to simply tear up the land, clear cut forest, extract all the minerals from the earth and runaway. That old picture needs to change when we think of developmental aspects of the industry.

Partnership among stakeholders such as local and international Governments, mining multinational corporations (MNCs), community, and educational institutions can improve technical and vocational aspects as well as research delivered in response to mining industry demands. International mining industry can increase employment opportunities for local people and improve local participation in the industry.

Similar to most international industries, benefits from this industry come with some challenges. Stories of gold mining communities in Pichit Thailand and Vilabouly in Laos may sound like a classic story of a typical rural community that is discovered by a gigantic, powerful mining MNCs. Both community face rapid economic changes where employment opportunities, new infrastructure, and new opportunities in life are created by the advent of international mining MNCs.

However, with economic miracle, members of the community also feel 'the air of economic challenges.' The majority of workers of mining MNCs from our study raised a similar concern on uncertain economic future in the community. What can be done to guarantee this constant income in the future, when the end of mining industry approaches the community? In the Laos context, economic miracle from this international industry has long been supporting on-going development in the community. When the land becomes useless for mining industry, community members question their economic future. What should they and mining MNCs do to mitigate this future economic impact in the host counties?

The second challenge we learn from the project is the importance of relationship among mining stakeholders. If we use ‘stakeholder theory’ by  Ed Freeman to explain international mining industry, we understand that the conventional idea that business is about maximizing profits for shareholders is outdated. It does  not work well in modern economy since  the recent global financial crisis has taught us. The 21st Century is one of “Managing for Stakeholders.” The task of mining executives is to create as much value as possible for stakeholders without resorting to trade-offs.

With the serious (and notorious) circumstance in Thailand where the Thai Government commanded a mining MNC to shut down its operation, due to its potential contribution to public health concerns in the community, we learn that the failure to manage different demands from various stakeholders can be one of the key issues contributing to this problem.

Rural community may benefit from various levels of engagement among mining stakeholders that can potentially bring tremendous economic and technical benefits to community members. However, when various stakeholders involve, most mining MNCs may fail to respond to different demands from all stakeholders. That can potentially lead to management failure as one of the challenges in international mining industry.

In summary, benefits of mining industry can prevail over negative impacts if mining MNCs work very closely with and listen to all stakeholders in the host country. If community development is seen as an important element of international mining industry, it is important that mining MNCs must move beyond the point of being an industry where people engage purely for monetary benefits. The industry must speak out loud as an industry for sustainable development.

Capacity Building at the National University of Laos

ADRAS project is unique from any other research schemes in the sense that we need to focus on the developmental aspect of the project.  In the previous month, our team focused on building research capacity and skills with partners from Rajabhat, Burapha and Thammasat Universities. At this phase of the project, we visited the National University of Laos to work with our team and their students on the capacity building on research and communication of research in developmental studies.

We value the contribution of this project from both developmental and educational perspectives. Hence, our capacity building activities will focus on strategy to use education as a key tool to work with delegates from various developmental agencies in Lao PDR and countries in Mekong region.

                                                                            Patuxai

In early March, our team organised a workshop on research and communication in developmental studies, base on our fieldwork in Vilabouly (Lao PDR) and Pijit (Thailand). The workshop participants are 17 postgraduate students in the master of sciences in community development from National University of Laos (NUOL).

All of them are experienced workers from various international NGOs, Governmental agencies, business owners, and officers form international organisations in Lao PDR and the region. They were interested in conducting an individual community development project and keen to discuss and share their research experiences with our team. In particular, delegates who are currently working on gender, mitigation of natural disasters in Laos, and mining for development were keen to share with us their work and experiences from the fields.

Workshop was conducted by Associate Professor Kabmanivanh Phouxay from NUOL and Associate Professor Natt Pimpa from RMIT University. The key foci of the workshop include methodology for research in community development, how to identify impacts of your research, and communication techniques for researchers in this discipline.

                                                             Activity/Brainstorming

One important discussion among participants at the workshop is how to make the most of modern social media and electronic platforms to create impacts of our research in community development. Issues on modern platform such as open-access journal, linkedin, and webinar concept were debated among participants from NUOL.

                                               Photo with some delegates from NUOL

At the end of the training session, the delegates reflected upon their experiences at the workshop. For them, the most important learning aspect was their comprehension on communication strategies and techniques for research. It is commonly known that research in community development or economic development tend not to be well and strategically communicated, due to lack of skills and proper understanding of communication concept. It is our hope that this capacity building program, funded by DFAT, will be useful for all participants from Laos.

Our Project Article in 'The Conversation'

Kingsgate’s Thai mine a lesson in failed community management

In mid January, the Thai Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Mines ordered the 30-day suspension of activities of Akara Resources, a Thai gold mining subsidiary of Australia’s Kingsgate Consolidated Limited.

The suspension followed a protracted dispute between Akara and local villagers. The locals claimed – and this was voiced predominantly by women – they had been adversely affected by the mine’s activities.

Despite the concerns raised by villagers, Akara continued to issue environmental impact studies that failed to address the concerns.

But when the Thai government assessed the mine’s impacts on the environment and health, arsenic and manganese were found to exceed acceptable levels in 282 villagers living near Kingsgate’s Chatree gold mine in Pijit Province.

Kingsgate responded by arguing that “arsenic and manganese are not used or stored at the Chatree Mining operation now or at any time in its history". Indeed, it is cyanide rather than arsenic or manganese which is used to leach gold from ore.

Following a public hearing of key community stakeholders in February, the Department of Primary Industries and Mines announced it would lift the suspension order if Akara Resources were to prove its operations do not pose a threat to health. Apparently this did not happen to the government’s satisfaction, as an additional 45 days suspension has been applied.

How could things have gone so wrong?

Read full article at: https://theconversation.com/kingsgates-thai-mine-a-lesson-in-failed-community-management-37588

Mining and Development: Story from our fieldwork in Pijit (Part 2)

In the previous post, we examined a few photographs from the mining community in Pijit. We presented different pictures of relationship among key stakeholders in the community. We also argue that, since social environment plays a critical role in corporate survival, Akara (mining MNC in Thailand) need to satisfy (and sometimes even exceed) their stakeholders' expectations. We also address that mining MNC's success and community prosperity are intertwined. We need to present another three photographs from the field to confirm our arguments on the current situation in Thailand.

                                                 
                                                      Picture 1: Sewing Group

Like most mining MNCs in developing countries, Akara contribute to various income generation schemes in the host community. This is the picture from the sewing group which members are predominantly women. The project sounds interesting from the economic empowerment perspectives. When we discussed how this scheme change life of the members, some women obviously mentioned benefits from stable incomes from sewing. The decision-making of Akara to create the sewing group  is connected to economic empowerment in the community. In our opinion, this little sample is significant because the company include views and ideas from women from various groups and backgrounds prior to the establishment of this program. Mining MNCs need to understand the fundamental needs of the community, from the community perspectives, not the company's perspectives.

                                                     Picture 2: Road to the Mining Area

One of the strongest claims from the villagers in this study is concerns on noise and water pollution. While we were listening to stories from the villagers, we frequently heard the noise from the production and trucks from the production site. The company used to operate 24 hours!! After several attempts from the local villagers to bring this case to the authority, the company stopped the night operation. In terms of air and water pollution, since we look at the gender perspectives from this study, we found women tend to worry about this issue more than their male counterparts. Men from the villages tend to focus on how to 'earn a living'. Most women whose husbands work for the company stay home and look after their families.

                                              Pictures 3 and 4: The Way Women Lead

We traveled to Moo 9 (the picture of the road) and met with the lady in a picture, Khun Suekanya. Her picture is not from my camera but it was taken by the media on the public hearing day on 11 February 2015.  She is one of the leaders who campaigned against the company. Again, we are trying to focus on gender issues here so we learn from the interviews that most people who protest against Akara's issue on environmental impacts are women. Women are encouraged to deal with the movement and the political aspects of mining industry. Most women mentioned their roles as the carer for the next generation, protectors of the community, and the guardian. Interestingly, they admitted that level of violence can be different when women campaigned against the company. Men tend to end up with violent attack if they stood up and protested.

I would like to finish this post by a news report from Thai PBS on the actions from the community and the government on this important issue.

Extension of Akara closure looking likely : Report from Bangkok Post

Akara Resources Plc's gold mine in Phichit province may be closed longer after the company's appeal against the government's suspension order was turned down.  

The government has asked the company to provide more information and plans to hold a week-long public hearing for villagers living near the mine, signaling that the mining operation might face further suspension.

"But Akara reiterated that the toxic metals found in the blood tests were caused not by the mining operation but by the villagers' use of insecticides on their own farmland" 

Credit and read more at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/461993/extension-of-akara-closure-looking-likely. 

Mining and Development: Story from our fieldwork in Pijit (Part 1)

With the order from Thai authorities to suspense an Australian gold mine in the north of Thailand, this causes a number of concerns from the community and industrial perspectives. Issues on health risks and political influence were reported in the Thai media. This is truly one of the critical issues of mining and development in Thailand.

Our project deals directly with mining community in Tab Klor, Pijit, the location for Akara resources. We have been working closely with the community and we talked  to stakeholders from the villages and industry. We, therefore, need to share some reflections from the field as part of our research project.

Our team visited Pijit in October-November 2014. After the publicity in regards to the situation in Pijit, we look at our research evidences and would like to share some 'photos' and 'stories' from the research fieldwork. Note that our project is not politically involving with any parties. We are interested in gender aspect of mining and mining MNCs in Pijit and Petchaboon. Hence, we like to tell our story from the picture (as key evidence) we collected from the fieldwork in November 2014.

                                                         Picture 1: The Village

The community comprises approximately 13 villages. Most of them are not as rural as one may imagine. Roads link all villages very well and it takes approximately 20 minutes to the main road that links this mining community to Pijit and Petchaboon. A few villages that are close to the company have been receiving the village funds (approx. 1 million bath per year per village) to manage their own needs. However, issues on fairness (as mentioned from further villages) have been one of the major concerns in the community. We have learnt two completely different ideas: development or detrimental from various groups in different villages. Obviously, infrastructure has been developed here and we can find the relationship with mining industry. However, some societal issues are raised by some villagers.

                                           Picture 2: Public Board from the Company

One aspect that has been done professionally from the company is public communication. In all villages where we visited and observed, we noticed this similar public board in the centre of the village. You may question the purposes of this board. Obviously, the communication and public relations aspects are outstanding. Akara uses this space to communicate with all villages,distribute their magazine, discussing benefit they have raised to the community, promotion of their sponsorship for the Buddhist temple or school, other health and finance issues etc. From the communication perspectives, this is one of best strategies to inform the community. However, some concerns from the villagers include the type and quality of information, opportuities to use this space beyond PR activities, and other essential information that can be promoted in the community.

                                                   Picture 3: Head of the Villages

Heads of all villages play significant roles in the mining community. They liaise with the governor, mining MNC and the villagers. We visited five heads of the village and had wonderful conversation regarding the history of mining community and gender issues. All village heads agree that the industry was historically designed for most men. However, women can now play different roles in the mining community. Most of them also agreed that the repatriation of women and men from Bangkok to Tab Klor is one of the major contributions of the industry. Women can do more work at home and at work. They can return to the hometown and live with their parents/family.

Village heads can also play various political roles in the community. They are the economic and political mechanisms for mining MNCs, the Government and villagers. Their relationship with various groups in the community is incredibly powerful.

The consequences of Mining

What are the consequences of mining in the global and local communities? When we started this project we asked ourselves this broad question and we hope that we will find some interesting facts to learn from the project.  At this stage, we have seen and witnessed various societal and community factors.  It is. Not the intention to discuss all of them here. We would like to share some points while we are analyzing the data.

The primary influence is on economic development which is prominent in all communities we explored in this project. Economic contributions come in many forms such as tax, job creation, microfinance, working with local suppliers, and improvement of basic infrastructure in the local areas. 

In Laos, for instance, most women are employed in various sectors and departments in the mining industry. Economic impacts last in the community and seem to have various impacts on the community. Status of women in the community can also be changed because of the economic empowerment. Roles they play in the community have recently changed from the receipients of income to the contributors to family's well-being.

An interesting issues also include fairness in employment and equity in the workplace. Although women have been employed by mining companies, some complained about (lack of) opportunities to participate in the recruitment and selection process. Having their voices reflected in the public arena is important and they hope to be more proactive in the community in this regard.

Thailand shuts down Australian gold mine over health fears

"We are calling for a speedy resolution as there are 1100 jobs at the mine which are in jeopardy.Loss of these jobs would have adverse flow on effects to the local communities." : Kingsgate Executive Chairman Ross Smyth-Kirk.

I found this news is fascinating since this is the area where we conducted our field research in Thailand an we spent time with the community and the company. I hope they find the best solutions for this situation real soon.

Bangkok: Thai authorities have ordered the suspension for 30 days of an Australian gold mine in northern Thailand amid concerns over the health of thousands of villagers living nearby.
Random urine and blood tests showed above-standard arsenic and manganese levels in villagers near

Kingsgate Consolidated's Chatree gold mine 280 kilometres north of Bangkok, according to Porntip Rojanasunan, director-general of the Justice Ministry's Central Institute of Forensic Science.
An order from the institute says "we are of the opinion the mining might have affected the health of villagers."

It says the purpose of the suspension "is to determine whether the health hazards were caused by the company's operation."

Thai media reported mine managers have told its 1,100 employees and stopped operation.
The mine is operated by Akara Resources Public Company, a subsidiary of Sydney-based Kingsgate Consolidated.

In a statement, Kingsgate Executive Chairman Ross Smyth-Kirk said the company was stunned by the sanction. It has hired toxicology experts to carry out a study on the causes of any elevated test results.

"We are shocked and amazed at the temporary suspension order at the Chatree Mining Complex, situated in central Thailand which is internationally recognised as one of the safest gold mines in the world," Mr Smyth-Kirk said.

"It is important to note that arsenic and manganese are not used or stored at the Chatree Mining operation now or at any time in its history.

"We are calling for a speedy resolution as there are 1100 jobs at the mine which are in jeopardy.Loss of these jobs would have adverse flow on effects to the local communities."

Chatree is Thailand's first and largest gold mine that commenced operations in 2001, producing more than 1.3 million ounces of gold and more than 5.8 million ounces of silver as at June 2013.
Akara recorded revenues of $233 million and profit of $59 million in the fiscal year ended June 2013.

Kingsgate Consolidated claims on its website it has an "outstanding occupational and health record coupled with stringent environmental controls that help underpin the existing operations."
But the mine has faced complaints and law suits filed by communities and villager groups in the past, mainly related to claims about the environment and health.
In December the Central Institute of Forensic Science said that as many as 6,000 people living near the mine may have heavy metals in their blood, the Bangkok Post reported.

Tests found manganese and arsenic in 329 of 600 blood samples collected from local livings in Thap Khlo district near the mine, the institute said.

"The results are very worrying," Ms Porntip said at the time.
Akara Resources said in December the company had co-operated with the institute while carrying out its tests.

"We are pleased to meet with Khunying Porntip as we believe she will conduct proper testing," Akjara chief executive Pakorn Sukhum said before the tests were carried out.
Mr Pakorn maintained the company operates to the best international practices in health and environmental standards.

"The fact that Chatree continues to be allowed to operate shows that we adhere to required standards and regulations," he said at the time.
Akara Resources said in December that the most recent blood and urine tests it carried out in June 2014 for 800 Akara and sub-contractor workers showed arsenic and manganese levels within normal limits.


Source: http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/thailand-shuts-down-australian-gold-mine-over-health-fears-20150114-12nrfd.html#ixzz3PXVd1GUh