View Full Version : Potash Mining
http://www.appc.co.th/theproject_projectmap.htm
This report from 2003. Anyone any idea whether this got the nod. Not surprisingly, some locals weren't wild about the idea. Dust would be one of the problems. The mine appears to be close to the mainline south of Udon, but will require a spur (probably a loop by the looks of the map). 85% of the mined potash to be carried by rail to Map Ta Phut (or other Eastern Ports!?)
Any comments or up-to-date info?
A fairly recent report on this project from the 'community' perspective:-
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press633.htm
You might remember that this project was mentioned in an SRT Subforum some months back because of a plan to use rail transport to transport 85% of the product to Laem Chabang for export to China & nations in SEA :-
http://www.appc.co.th/theproject_projectmap.htm
Artist's Impression:-
http://www.appc.co.th/images/Site_layout.jpg
A fairly recent report on this project from the 'community' perspective:-
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press633.htm
You might remember that this project was mentioned in an SRT Subforum some months back because of a plan to use rail transport to transport 85% of the product to Laem Chabang for export to China & nations in SEA :-
http://www.appc.co.th/theproject_projectmap.htm
Artist's Impression:-
http://www.appc.co.th/images/Site_layout.jpg
This frontpage headline concerns 'Asean Potash Mining PLC' and its mine (or intended mine) at Bamnet Narong in Chaiyaphum Province.
A bit strange that they should highlight the Apirak & BMA controversy in the very same article. However, I note that the article is linked to an inside column on an ABAC poll that suggests the public is losing faith in all politicians.
Or is it just a case of the Bangkok Post being coerced into balanced reporting:rolleyes: :-
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/30Jan2006_news01.php
Govt 'proxy' profits from potash mine
War of words heats up, TRT targets Apirak
The government employed a crony to exploit a potash mine, making huge profits, and farmers will eventually have to pay the price through higher fertiliser costs, the opposition said yesterday.
Thavorn: Govt is cheating the people. Sita: Targeting Governor Apiraki
As the war of words intensifies between the government and its opponents, the Democrat party has quickly thrown the ball back into the government's court with its latest accusations.
It says the government improperly installed its own people to control Asean Potash Mining Plc, which it claims has reaped billions of baht through revenue from mining exploration.
Regional partners from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) were among the original investors in the controversial mining operation.
Democrat MP Thavorn Senniam said the multi-billion-baht project in Chaiyaphum's Bamnet Narong district was conceived and endorsed by Asean members.
Asean Potash Mining began with a majority (64.69%) stake held by the government and businesses. Asean nations held 32.58% and other nations 2.73%.
However, when Pongsak Raktapongpaisal was appointed industry minister in 2004, Yien Ping, described as a Chinese "friend" of the minister and Thai Rak Thai, who uses the Thai name Charnchai Ruayrungruang, applied to acquire shares in the business.
In 2005, Mr Yien acquired a 49% stake, becoming the majority shareholder.
Media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul earlier alleged that Mr Yien was closely tied to Thai Rak Thai, running a branch of the party in China. The charge was rejected by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who said Mr Yien merely liaised between Thai Rak Thai and China's communist party. Mr Thavorn said he suspected Mr Yien was a proxy holding shares for certain cabinet ministers while the "kingmaker", thought to be a reference to Mr Thaksin, was directing the scheme.
Mr Yien's firm, which now dominates Asean Potash Mining, lacked any mining experience and had been allowed a majority stake without regard for selection criteria suggested by a consultant company.
The firm had also been able to postpone payments for its shares in the company. Mr Thavorn said the firm had invested just 26 million baht for the controlling stake, while Asean member states had earlier pumped in over 1.1 billion baht.
Calculations revealed that Mr Yien's firm would earn up to 132 billion baht from exploration over 31 years in addition to huge revenue from the potash reserves. The firm had reduced the government's stake in the business to 36.5%.
Mr Thavorn accused the government of stealing from the country and betraying fellow members of Asean by deliberately signing over management power in the company to Mr Yien.
Farmers would eventually pay the price since they would have to buy more expensive fertiliser from the US or Europe because the contract allows Mr Yien's firm to sell the potash to China.
Potash is a key raw material of chemical fertiliser and industrial salt is a by-product.
Mr Thavorn said the government must explain how Mr Yien's firm was given the chance to run Asean Potash Mining and inform Asean partners of the alteration in the shareholding structure. It must also suspend contracts with Mr Yien's firm and punish anyone responsible for any irregularities.
He wondered why Japan's Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund suddenly chose to stop its lending to the project.
Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai claimed it has discovered a lack of transparency in the utilisation of "smart" traffic signs in Bangkok. The signs were the idea of Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, a deputy leader of the Democrats.
Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Dhivari said the 200-million-baht signs were not informing motorists about traffic congestion. They were "billboards in disguise".
Private businesses had invested in 40 signs erected around Bangkok in return for a nine-year concession to run ads on designated parts of the signs.
Mr Sita said he learned that 56 products would be advertised on the signs, generating about six billion baht in profit for the concessionaires over the period of the agreement. The BMA would make 40 million baht in fees over the same period.
With respect to the bid rigging scandal linked to BMA megaprojects, Mr Sita predicted that the inquiry, which Mr Apirak had entrusted to former police chief Pratin Santiprabhob, would be "a farce". It would most likely make City Clerk Nathanon Thavisin the scapegoat while clearing Mr Apirak of any wrongdoing.
The Democrat party says Khunying Nathanon may have withheld from Mr Apirak complaints sent to the BMA by the Department of Special Investigation.
This frontpage headline concerns 'Asean Potash Mining PLC' and its mine (or intended mine) at Bamnet Narong in Chaiyaphum Province.
A bit strange that they should highlight the Apirak & BMA controversy in the very same article. However, I note that the article is linked to an inside column on an ABAC poll that suggests the public is losing faith in all politicians.
Or is it just a case of the Bangkok Post being coerced into balanced reporting:rolleyes: :-
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/30Jan2006_news01.php
Govt 'proxy' profits from potash mine
War of words heats up, TRT targets Apirak
The government employed a crony to exploit a potash mine, making huge profits, and farmers will eventually have to pay the price through higher fertiliser costs, the opposition said yesterday.
Thavorn: Govt is cheating the people. Sita: Targeting Governor Apiraki
As the war of words intensifies between the government and its opponents, the Democrat party has quickly thrown the ball back into the government's court with its latest accusations.
It says the government improperly installed its own people to control Asean Potash Mining Plc, which it claims has reaped billions of baht through revenue from mining exploration.
Regional partners from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) were among the original investors in the controversial mining operation.
Democrat MP Thavorn Senniam said the multi-billion-baht project in Chaiyaphum's Bamnet Narong district was conceived and endorsed by Asean members.
Asean Potash Mining began with a majority (64.69%) stake held by the government and businesses. Asean nations held 32.58% and other nations 2.73%.
However, when Pongsak Raktapongpaisal was appointed industry minister in 2004, Yien Ping, described as a Chinese "friend" of the minister and Thai Rak Thai, who uses the Thai name Charnchai Ruayrungruang, applied to acquire shares in the business.
In 2005, Mr Yien acquired a 49% stake, becoming the majority shareholder.
Media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul earlier alleged that Mr Yien was closely tied to Thai Rak Thai, running a branch of the party in China. The charge was rejected by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who said Mr Yien merely liaised between Thai Rak Thai and China's communist party. Mr Thavorn said he suspected Mr Yien was a proxy holding shares for certain cabinet ministers while the "kingmaker", thought to be a reference to Mr Thaksin, was directing the scheme.
Mr Yien's firm, which now dominates Asean Potash Mining, lacked any mining experience and had been allowed a majority stake without regard for selection criteria suggested by a consultant company.
The firm had also been able to postpone payments for its shares in the company. Mr Thavorn said the firm had invested just 26 million baht for the controlling stake, while Asean member states had earlier pumped in over 1.1 billion baht.
Calculations revealed that Mr Yien's firm would earn up to 132 billion baht from exploration over 31 years in addition to huge revenue from the potash reserves. The firm had reduced the government's stake in the business to 36.5%.
Mr Thavorn accused the government of stealing from the country and betraying fellow members of Asean by deliberately signing over management power in the company to Mr Yien.
Farmers would eventually pay the price since they would have to buy more expensive fertiliser from the US or Europe because the contract allows Mr Yien's firm to sell the potash to China.
Potash is a key raw material of chemical fertiliser and industrial salt is a by-product.
Mr Thavorn said the government must explain how Mr Yien's firm was given the chance to run Asean Potash Mining and inform Asean partners of the alteration in the shareholding structure. It must also suspend contracts with Mr Yien's firm and punish anyone responsible for any irregularities.
He wondered why Japan's Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund suddenly chose to stop its lending to the project.
Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai claimed it has discovered a lack of transparency in the utilisation of "smart" traffic signs in Bangkok. The signs were the idea of Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, a deputy leader of the Democrats.
Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Dhivari said the 200-million-baht signs were not informing motorists about traffic congestion. They were "billboards in disguise".
Private businesses had invested in 40 signs erected around Bangkok in return for a nine-year concession to run ads on designated parts of the signs.
Mr Sita said he learned that 56 products would be advertised on the signs, generating about six billion baht in profit for the concessionaires over the period of the agreement. The BMA would make 40 million baht in fees over the same period.
With respect to the bid rigging scandal linked to BMA megaprojects, Mr Sita predicted that the inquiry, which Mr Apirak had entrusted to former police chief Pratin Santiprabhob, would be "a farce". It would most likely make City Clerk Nathanon Thavisin the scapegoat while clearing Mr Apirak of any wrongdoing.
The Democrat party says Khunying Nathanon may have withheld from Mr Apirak complaints sent to the BMA by the Department of Special Investigation.
Hundreds voice their anger over potash mine
Public forum cancelled after 'biased' chairman pelted with juice, rubbish
Hundreds of protesters yesterday surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat University president Charoon Thavornchak and threw betel juice at him to express their opposition to a potash-mining project in the northeastern province.
They also hurled water bottles and stones at people who showed up for a forum chaired by Charoon and called by the Udon Thani provincial authority to gather local people's opinions on the project. The forum was eventually cancelled.
Yesterday was the third and last day for Charoon's panel to explain what the potash-mining project was about, and how it would benefit or affect local people. The panel was also tasked with gathering local opinions that will be forwarded to the relevant parties.
The protesters said they believed Charoon favoured the project. Betel juice was also hurled at staff who tried to rescue Charoon from the big crowd of protesters.
The turmoil took place at around 9.30am just after Charoon arrived at the Ban Huai Sam Pard School in Prachak Silapakhom sub-district to begin the forum.
Despite the mess, Charoon said he would not blame the environmentalists. "They just want to express their opinion," he said.
Charoon strongly denied that he had a vested interest in the mining project.
"I volunteered for this job just because I don't want to see division among local people. I want to explain about the project and listen to people's opinions," he said, adding that he would continue as the panel's chairman.
An informed source said many local people had been hired to sit in the forums over the past two days as "paid participants". They raised questions in a way that would persuade others to see only the good points of the project.
Environmentalists refused to take part in the forum, saying they had already submitted a letter asking Charoon not to start the forum to gather public opinions.
The Primary Industries and Mines Department has already permitted a private operator to start potash mining in Udon Thani.
However, the licence for its operations has yet to be granted due to local opposition.
The Nation, Udon Thani
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/22/business/business_30029923.php
Hundreds voice their anger over potash mine
Public forum cancelled after 'biased' chairman pelted with juice, rubbish
Hundreds of protesters yesterday surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat University president Charoon Thavornchak and threw betel juice at him to express their opposition to a potash-mining project in the northeastern province.
They also hurled water bottles and stones at people who showed up for a forum chaired by Charoon and called by the Udon Thani provincial authority to gather local people's opinions on the project. The forum was eventually cancelled.
Yesterday was the third and last day for Charoon's panel to explain what the potash-mining project was about, and how it would benefit or affect local people. The panel was also tasked with gathering local opinions that will be forwarded to the relevant parties.
The protesters said they believed Charoon favoured the project. Betel juice was also hurled at staff who tried to rescue Charoon from the big crowd of protesters.
The turmoil took place at around 9.30am just after Charoon arrived at the Ban Huai Sam Pard School in Prachak Silapakhom sub-district to begin the forum.
Despite the mess, Charoon said he would not blame the environmentalists. "They just want to express their opinion," he said.
Charoon strongly denied that he had a vested interest in the mining project.
"I volunteered for this job just because I don't want to see division among local people. I want to explain about the project and listen to people's opinions," he said, adding that he would continue as the panel's chairman.
An informed source said many local people had been hired to sit in the forums over the past two days as "paid participants". They raised questions in a way that would persuade others to see only the good points of the project.
Environmentalists refused to take part in the forum, saying they had already submitted a letter asking Charoon not to start the forum to gather public opinions.
The Primary Industries and Mines Department has already permitted a private operator to start potash mining in Udon Thani.
However, the licence for its operations has yet to be granted due to local opposition.
The Nation, Udon Thani
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/22/business/business_30029923.php
Udon potash forum a farce, environmentalist says
Italian-Thai Development has been trying to buy support for a controversial mining project in Udon Thani that villagers have been fighting for more than a decade, an environmentalist alleged yesterday.
Lertsak Kamkongsak said the company was trying to divide communal groups that would be affected by the potash mine.
The company, one of the country's largest contractors, denies trying to buy support for the project.
The allegation was made following a rally on Wednesday in which villagers protested against a public forum on the project.
Hundreds of protesters surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat Institute president Charoon Thavornchak and tossed betel juice at him to express their anger at the public forum he was chairing on the project.
The forum was a public relations gimmick designed to create the impression that local residents supported the project, the protesters said.
Charoon was preparing to chair the third and last day of the controversial forum.
It had to be cancelled.
Lertsak said this helped prevent a confrontation.
"I would like to apologise to the university's president, but I couldn't prevent the situation," he said.
To avoid a confrontation, the project's opponents had agreed not to join the forum on Monday and Tuesday, but their anger boiled over on Wednesday after learning that the forum had focused on the project's benefits, he said.
Lertsak also accused an Udon Thani councillor of recruiting people "to fill" the forum.
"We can't stand these image-making efforts," he said.
"It was a farce."
Italian-Thai coordinator Prapimphan Sudchukiat denied that the company had tried to buy the support of local administrative organisations or local
residents. However, she hinted that previous management had engaged in such activities.
Italian-Thai last year bought the Canadian firm, Asia Pacific Resources, that holds the mining concession.
"We have been extremely cautious about our activities so as to avoid creating conflict," Prapimphan said.
She said the Charoon-chaired panel would meet today to decide how to proceed.
Italian-Thai has yet to receive a mining licence for the project, which has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and academics.
The mine will cause the ground to sink up to a metre over a 25-square kilometre area south of the provincial capital. It will also create a massive salt-waste dump and brine pond that, environmentalists warn, could spoil some of the most prized farmland in the area as well as pollute water supplies.
Thailand's lax enforcement of environmental regulations coupled with the massive size of the project could cause another environmental disaster, they warn.
Supporters of the project say that the responsible use of technology could mitigate any potential negative impacts and that the mine will bring well-paying jobs to an area of the Kingdom that needs them most.
Potash is an ore used to make chemical fertiliser.
Sumalee Phopayak
The Nation, Udon Thani
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/23/national/national_30030031.php
Udon potash forum a farce, environmentalist says
Italian-Thai Development has been trying to buy support for a controversial mining project in Udon Thani that villagers have been fighting for more than a decade, an environmentalist alleged yesterday.
Lertsak Kamkongsak said the company was trying to divide communal groups that would be affected by the potash mine.
The company, one of the country's largest contractors, denies trying to buy support for the project.
The allegation was made following a rally on Wednesday in which villagers protested against a public forum on the project.
Hundreds of protesters surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat Institute president Charoon Thavornchak and tossed betel juice at him to express their anger at the public forum he was chairing on the project.
The forum was a public relations gimmick designed to create the impression that local residents supported the project, the protesters said.
Charoon was preparing to chair the third and last day of the controversial forum.
It had to be cancelled.
Lertsak said this helped prevent a confrontation.
"I would like to apologise to the university's president, but I couldn't prevent the situation," he said.
To avoid a confrontation, the project's opponents had agreed not to join the forum on Monday and Tuesday, but their anger boiled over on Wednesday after learning that the forum had focused on the project's benefits, he said.
Lertsak also accused an Udon Thani councillor of recruiting people "to fill" the forum.
"We can't stand these image-making efforts," he said.
"It was a farce."
Italian-Thai coordinator Prapimphan Sudchukiat denied that the company had tried to buy the support of local administrative organisations or local
residents. However, she hinted that previous management had engaged in such activities.
Italian-Thai last year bought the Canadian firm, Asia Pacific Resources, that holds the mining concession.
"We have been extremely cautious about our activities so as to avoid creating conflict," Prapimphan said.
She said the Charoon-chaired panel would meet today to decide how to proceed.
Italian-Thai has yet to receive a mining licence for the project, which has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and academics.
The mine will cause the ground to sink up to a metre over a 25-square kilometre area south of the provincial capital. It will also create a massive salt-waste dump and brine pond that, environmentalists warn, could spoil some of the most prized farmland in the area as well as pollute water supplies.
Thailand's lax enforcement of environmental regulations coupled with the massive size of the project could cause another environmental disaster, they warn.
Supporters of the project say that the responsible use of technology could mitigate any potential negative impacts and that the mine will bring well-paying jobs to an area of the Kingdom that needs them most.
Potash is an ore used to make chemical fertiliser.
Sumalee Phopayak
The Nation, Udon Thani
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/23/national/national_30030031.php
Villagers protest against potash mining in Udon Thani
Some 300 members of the Udon Conservation group Saturday morning paraded at Udon Thani's Thung Sri Muang Stadium, protesting against the potash mine that Italian-Thai Development is applying for a permit to operate.
They launched verbal attacks on the company, Interior Ministry inspector Jareuk Prinyapol, and former Udon Thani governor Wittaya Suthornwipat and his deputies, before burning effigies of the company executives and the government officials involved.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30034647
Villagers protest against potash mining in Udon Thani
Some 300 members of the Udon Conservation group Saturday morning paraded at Udon Thani's Thung Sri Muang Stadium, protesting against the potash mine that Italian-Thai Development is applying for a permit to operate.
They launched verbal attacks on the company, Interior Ministry inspector Jareuk Prinyapol, and former Udon Thani governor Wittaya Suthornwipat and his deputies, before burning effigies of the company executives and the government officials involved.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30034647
Potash mine future in doubt
By Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul
The Nation
Published on May 29, 2008
No permit after decade of opposition
Development of the Udon Potash Project faces a bleak future after more than 10 years of opposition by non-governmental organisations, and the community, have stalled the issuance of a production licence.
Asia Pacific Potash Corp (APPC), which holds the concession for the potash mining project, is now a 75-per-cent-owned indirect subsidiary of Italian-Thai Development, a major local construction company.
An industry source said progress in getting the mining permit was hard to come by because many groups lacked an understanding of underground mining, and potash miners around the world felt threatened by the entry of a strong rival.
Not many countries operate potash mines. Canada, the United States and Russia do. The development of the project would thrust the local potash export industry to the forefront of the world's biggest growing market for fertiliser products - the Asia-Pacific region.
"It's possible that all the big players don't want this project to move forward because they're afraid of losing the Asian market to Thailand. Obviously, APPC will enjoy a freight advantage over its competitors, which export to this region," the source said.
In 2003, the company lodged its mining lease application, which allows the development of an underground mine covering 75,000 rai. The Udon Potash Project has reserves of 100 million tonnes. It expects to produce 2 million tonnes per year of high-quality potash.
The project still faces some resistance from NGOs and local people although the company has pledged to follow their demands, including re-submitting the environmental impact assessment. About 2,000 villagers are estimated to live within the mining lease area.
In requesting a review of the EIA's approval, the NGOs and community expressed concern over salt emissions from the potash-mining operation because Thailand has no standard to regulate such salt pollution.
However, APPC insisted that the salt produced from this project would be only half of Canadian standards. It had also prepared control measures, for example, enclosing all production equipment and conveyors on site and installing monitoring equipment around the project area.
Italian-Thai Development's president, Premchai Karnasuta, has said he tried to negotiate with the NGOs and the community and accepted all of their demands. "We accepted that our costs will increase but that will better for our business, the country and local community," he said.
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines plans to educate the public about underground mining by making a television documentary.
"The resistance is mainly caused by a lack of understanding among many groups, which are unfamiliar with underground mining. We try to show them that both underground mining and the community can be developed together," Anusorn Nuangpholmak, director-general of the department, said last week.
"Our fertiliser industry grows quite slowly compared with growth in demand here. Even though we have our own resources, we have to import high-priced potash to make fertiliser," he said.
A geology study has estimated Thailand's potash reserves at 407 billion tonnes. Five potash projects are seeking exploration licences, while two - Asean Potash Mining Project and Udon Potash Project - are waiting for production licences.
Potash is one of the costliest raw materials for making fertiliser because of tight demand and supply in the global market. Global potash demand is 50 million tonnes per year, equivalent to worldwide potash production. Potash fetches about US$1,000 (Bt32,300) per tonne.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/29/business/business_30074223.php
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.