Ratchaburi: Sergeant Major Singh gives the green light for "Khao Sam Ngam" to proceed with the rehabilitation plan, transforming the expired mine concession into a water source for Ratchaburi, reducing dust and wastewater, while emphasizing that the community will not be abandoned. Deputy Minister of Industry, Chief Petty Officer Yotsing Liemlert, along with Mr. Peerawas Somwong, Secretary to the Deputy Minister, and representatives from relevant industry and mining agencies, visited the Khao Sam Ngam quarry in Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province, to monitor its operations. They also received a comprehensive mining master plan and approved a post-concession rehabilitation plan, promoting the development of the area into a community water reservoir to enhance long-term water security for the province, while simultaneously mitigating environmental impacts such as dust and wastewater.
According to Thai News Agency, the Deputy Minister stated that mining operations involve "continuous land transformation," requiring comprehensive management to strike a balance between industrial economics and the quality of life for the people. A key mission of the ministry is to ensure that operators strictly adhere to project plans and operate responsibly towards society and the environment. In particular, after mining ceases, the area must be restored to a suitable state for public use, such as constructing community water reservoirs and storage facilities to support agriculture and water use during the dry season, increasing green spaces, planting trees, and restoring forests, and strictly controlling pollution control systems to reduce dust and prevent the discharge of wastewater into public water sources.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that entrepreneurs who are profitable and have funds from their operations should not abandon their local communities. He added that the ministry is ready to support entrepreneurs who are doing things correctly and will provide channels for discussions when obstacles arise, in order to find concrete solutions. Another important measure is the establishment of local volunteer groups to help inspect and monitor businesses that may not be in compliance with the law, following numerous complaints received from the public. The government affirms that all agencies are ready to seriously address the issues and offers three key points to business owners: hire local people, increase green practices, and cooperate.
The group of mining and quarry operators in the area stated that they are ready to support the rehabilitation plan after the concession expires, especially the development of water resources for the province, which will clearly show the benefits to the community. They also expressed gratitude for the government and the Ministry of Industry coming to listen to them in person. The operators also reflected that small-scale mining in Ratchaburi has been operating for over 30 years, so this monitoring visit is an important signal that assures the business sector and the community that regulation will proceed seriously, transparently, and benefit the people in the area.