Lead poisoning: Is history repeating itself in Kanchanaburi?

The prospect of a return to large-scale lead mining in Kanchanaburi is met with fear and trembling by the residents of Klity. The past 20 years have been marked by unexplained deaths, birth defects and illnesses. After a long and tough legal battle, they won compensation for the lead poisoning, but the cleaning operation of the Klity Creek will take at least another three years.

The Klity case has not put an end to Thailand's gold rush. An estimated 7,68 million tons of lead ore lie in the soil of Kanchanaburi. That tonnage is enough to supply the industry with lead for a century. Although the market price of the ore has fluctuated since 2000, it is now estimated at US$2.500 per ton.

Thailand now has to import 70 percent of its lead from China, mainly for the production of car batteries. 150.000 tons per year are needed to meet the demand from the automotive industry. Economists fear that China will stop its lead exports because the country desperately needs the ore itself.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Two years ago, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) commissioned Chulalongkorn University to carry out a so-called Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The university's Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering was asked to conduct research into mineral resources management, particularly lead and zinc. Such an SEA is relatively new in Thailand, which already has environmental impact assessments. The DMR report is expected soon.

Three of the twenty-five mines in Kanchanaburi have been chosen for the SEA: two, the Bor Yai en Song Thor, which are closed and the third, Kerng Kravia, which recently received a concession. They were selected because they are not in a protected area. 'The outcome of the SEA will give an indication of whether we should conserve the mines [in Kanchanaburi] or whether we should develop them. If mining is possible, thanks to the SEA we know how," said Chamlong Pintawong, director of the Conservation and Management Division of the Department of Mineral Resources.

According to Thitisak Boonpramote, an academic conducting the SEA, the purpose of the SEA is not to get pre-approval for lead mining in Kanchanaburi. The aim is to provide the sector with an accurate insight into the consequences, and to propose options that can be reduced as effectively as possible. "So far we have come to the conclusion that mining lead is possible, but before proceeding we need to look at all possible social and environmental aspects to choose the best option."

He adds that the SEA will need to be followed by an environmental and health impact assessment as the SEA paves the way for lead mining to resume in Kanchanaburi.

Four forums have now been held, in which three options have been discussed: preservation, preservation en development. Preservation means a total stop, preservation wait for better times and Development green light for mining. With the latter option, proposals have already been made to minimize the negative consequences, such as the formation of environmental teams and a residents' fund, which is fed by the government.

The SEA is not asking the right questions

That all sounds well and good, but those who are closely involved in the ups and downs of the province have less confidence in the SEA. Arpa Wangkiat, assistant dean of the Engineering College of Rangsit University, finds it suspicious that the four forums have produced only positive answers. Important questions were avoided, she says, or the questions themselves were guiding. 'If the SEA is not carried out thoroughly, the picture will not be complete.'

She thinks it would be better to do without the SEA. "The SEA should not be based on one sector, but rather focus on the needs of a community in the making and consider all resources."

Phong Vichaphaiboon, former chief of a village near the mine Bor Yai, agrees with Arpa. The SEA is not asking the right questions. The SEA should help the villagers and not provide a set of answers for outside investors. Phong knows the misery of the Bone Yai caused mine.

“The impact the mine has had on the villagers clearly demonstrates that Development not worth the risk. The Klity villagers are still suffering from the lead contamination. History must not repeat itself.'

(Source: Spectrum, Bangkok Post, Sept. 15, 2013)

Photos: Karen children from the village of Klity protest against the SEA during a press conference. The two other photos show victims of the lead poisoning.