Kanchanaburi: The Senate has taken decisive action by visiting Huai Khlity to address ongoing concerns over lead contamination, inquiring about the progress of restoration efforts, and highlighting the critical need to prevent similar environmental issues in the future.
According to Thai News Agency, the visit was led by Mr. Chivaphap Chivaphatham, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, accompanied by key members of the working group including Mr. Kittisak Muensri, Mr. Samphan Chaiwiseschinda, and other advisors. The delegation inspected the mine and the old ore processing plant in Ban Huai Khlitti Bon, Kanchanaburi Province, with local officials and representatives from relevant agencies, including the Pollution Control Department, to evaluate the restoration of Khlong Khlity from lead contamination. The team focused on the transportation of minerals seized from legal auctions and assessed the dumping points of tailings piles in the community, which have been a concern for residents due to potential lead contamination during the rainy season.
Mr. Chivaphap expressed the committee’s concern about the rehabilitation efforts by government agencies and emphasized the importance of learning from the Klity Village case to prevent future incidents related to mining and industry. He stressed that while industry is crucial for economic growth, it must be managed with strict controls to safeguard the environment and the quality of life of local communities.
Despite collaborative restoration efforts, Mr. Chivaphap noted that the success of these plans remains uncertain. He highlighted the local community’s demand for the permanent removal of the remaining waste, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of tons, to alleviate their concerns.
The chairman also suggested using the Klity case as a model for addressing heavy metal contamination in the Kok River in Chiang Rai Province. He advocated for the enhancement of measures, regulations, and laws to ensure that future mining projects include guarantees of responsibility and transparency, holding polluting companies accountable for remediation costs to prevent the financial burden from falling on the government.