High Stakes, Hard Lines Pose Threat to Peace in Udorn Thani
Wednesday February 16, 2005 01:13 PM
By Peter McCaslin
Potash, a coarse, reddish mineral used to make chemical fertilizers, is giving rise to more than just high crop yields in the province of Udorn Thani. Plans by Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC) to build a

http://www.miningwatch.ca/index.php?/udon_thani

more information on udon potash and the opposition to it.

Where in Udon are the mining projects ?

Sombun is about 17 km south of the ring road just east of highway 2. A few kms south of Non Sung. It's in Amphur Prachak Sinlapakhom.

Drive south from Udon, past the military camp in Non Sung, past the turn-off to Nong TaKai and down into the flats.. You'll see the turn-off heading East marked with a sign in Thai/English for Prachak Sinlapakhom. turn left there and driv eover the railway tracks.. To your left should be a road/entrance into the APPC area.. The area extends from the railway line East some ways and North almost to the watershed of the Nong Takai ridge.. The Potash in this area is very deep, up to 500 meters. When mined it will NOT be Open Pit mining but shaft mining. The problem with mining Potash is that to extract the mineral content of it for fertilizer requires a "washing" of the mineral. The residue of this "washing" process is essentially salt. Since the mining area is in a key watershed that breaks North to the Mekong and South to the Non Han Khumpawapi lake/depression, any foul-up in the handing of the Potash residue will essentially kill whatever area the salt spreads to...
About 15+ years ago, several other Thai and Foreign companies did similar Potash mining in the Chaiyaphum area. They left behind a moonscape unable to grow anything..
Could APPC be an environmental steward, a large employer (500+) and provide a huge income bump to UdonThani Province..?? Yes, IF, they invest the proper amount of money into good environmentally friendly technology.. Howeve, history has shown in Thailand many times that money does indeed talk, and that large profit margins will definitely override any concerns for the right of several thousand Isaan farmers, their health or their concerns about the future of their livelihoods.
Expect evasion from the government on this issue, and if the chao na of the area protest, expect the police and company goons to bust heads...
It's sad but true that this may happen.. If handled correctly, this enterprise could be a true boon to the area, providing alternative employment for up to 20 years...

Drive south from Udon, past the military camp in Non Sung, past the turn-off to Nong TaKai and down into the flats.. You'll see the turn-off heading East marked with a sign in Thai/English for Prachak Sinlapakhom. turn left there and driv eover the railway tracks.. To your left should be a road/entrance into the APPC area.. The area extends from the railway line East some ways and North almost to the watershed of the Nong Takai ridge.. The Potash in this area is very deep, up to 500 meters. When mined it will NOT be Open Pit mining but shaft mining. The problem with mining Potash is that to extract the mineral content of it for fertilizer requires a "washing" of the mineral. The residue of this "washing" process is essentially salt. Since the mining area is in a key watershed that breaks North to the Mekong and South to the Non Han Khumpawapi lake/depression, any foul-up in the handing of the Potash residue will essentially kill whatever area the salt spreads to...
About 15+ years ago, several other Thai and Foreign companies did similar Potash mining in the Chaiyaphum area. They left behind a moonscape unable to grow anything..
Could APPC be an environmental steward, a large employer (500+) and provide a huge income bump to UdonThani Province..?? Yes, IF, they invest the proper amount of money into good environmentally friendly technology.. Howeve, history has shown in Thailand many times that money does indeed talk, and that large profit margins will definitely override any concerns for the right of several thousand Isaan farmers, their health or their concerns about the future of their livelihoods.
Expect evasion from the government on this issue, and if the chao na of the area protest, expect the police and company goons to bust heads...
It's sad but true that this may happen.. If handled correctly, this enterprise could be a true boon to the area, providing alternative employment for up to 20 years...

Thanks for the info - in the articles they never say where the mines are. My gf lives down in Kumpawapii - I guess this area is in the danger zone, bummer. I hope they can stop the project or at least make sure it is done safely.

Does anyone know if Nong Kon Kond is in this area.

Thank you

call my nephew, Prasompan at 810605229. He is the abbot pf a Wat in Ban Na Di about 3-4km from the mining site. He was involved in a community action group against the mine about 4 years ago and probably still has an interest.. He speaks minimal English so if your Thai isn't top notch, have a Thai question him on what's up with the mine.

A Project like this could be invaluable to Udonthani province, a serious injection of money and jobs could make a significant difference to many locals lives. Sadly not just in Thailand Mining companies will always put profit before envioronmental concerns and the local population will be left to pick up the pieces.

I wonder if it true that APPC are trying to use a mining technique or maybe a water treatment technique that has never been used before on this scael??

And that the holding ponds for the waste treatment water are designed to withstand a 1 in 100 year flood???? I think that should be enough to make people think twice with global warming these days?!

Also when hear stories like projects of the Underground in BKK, and how contractors get forced to cut cost or loose the contract, so therefore continue knowing the structures are not 100% safe!!

Better to build a dam and let the farmers farm I would say?