Three More Int'l Mining Firms To Explore R'kiri
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The Ministry of Industry revealed Tuesday that three more international mining companies were given licenses this year to explore for minerals in eight of Ratanakkiri province's nine districts, an official said Monday.
Hem Van Thorn, Ratanakkiri province's industry department director, said that Liberty Mining International Ltd, Battle Mountain Gold Ltd, and Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd are currently in the second phases of their exploration in Ratanakkiri.
Liberty Mining International Ltd, an Australian company, was given a license in June and is currently clearing land in O’Yadaw district of war-era ordnance, Hem Van Thorn said.
According to its Web site, Liberty Mining is currently preparing to resume further exploration programs, including drilling, in the province this year.
Battle Mountain Gold Ltd, which signed a 2005 memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry to do some light exploration of the area, received an official exploration license in August, Hem Van Thorn said.
Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd received its license in November, he added.
Hem Van Thorn said he had no additional information on Battle Mountain Gold Ltd and Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd, but that each company could generate between 1,000 to 2,000 jobs for Cambodians if they are given permission to mine in the remote and largely untouched province.
"There must be minerals in the province, but we don't know whether there are a little or a lot," Hem Van Thorn said, adding that the companies will consider the environment during their exploration.
Pen Bonnar, provincial coordinator for local rights group Adhoc, said he is concerned about the effects of exploration on indigenous hilltribe populations in the province as well as damage to forests.
"There is almost no place for the ethic minorities to live now," Pen Bonnar said.
Teak Seng, country director of the World Wildlife Foundation, said that the mining companies were a serious concern in terms of conservation.
"It's an overwhelming issue now. Mining is one of the highest priorities for the government right now," he said. "It’s a concern from the conservation point of view."
Teak Seng called on all parties involved—companies, government agencies and conservationists—to coordinate their efforts to reduce the potential impact of mining on the country.
(Additional reporting by James Welsh)
Hem Van Thorn, Ratanakkiri province's industry department director, said that Liberty Mining International Ltd, Battle Mountain Gold Ltd, and Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd are currently in the second phases of their exploration in Ratanakkiri.
Liberty Mining International Ltd, an Australian company, was given a license in June and is currently clearing land in O’Yadaw district of war-era ordnance, Hem Van Thorn said.
According to its Web site, Liberty Mining is currently preparing to resume further exploration programs, including drilling, in the province this year.
Battle Mountain Gold Ltd, which signed a 2005 memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry to do some light exploration of the area, received an official exploration license in August, Hem Van Thorn said.
Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd received its license in November, he added.
Hem Van Thorn said he had no additional information on Battle Mountain Gold Ltd and Summer Gold Investment PVP Ltd, but that each company could generate between 1,000 to 2,000 jobs for Cambodians if they are given permission to mine in the remote and largely untouched province.
"There must be minerals in the province, but we don't know whether there are a little or a lot," Hem Van Thorn said, adding that the companies will consider the environment during their exploration.
Pen Bonnar, provincial coordinator for local rights group Adhoc, said he is concerned about the effects of exploration on indigenous hilltribe populations in the province as well as damage to forests.
"There is almost no place for the ethic minorities to live now," Pen Bonnar said.
Teak Seng, country director of the World Wildlife Foundation, said that the mining companies were a serious concern in terms of conservation.
"It's an overwhelming issue now. Mining is one of the highest priorities for the government right now," he said. "It’s a concern from the conservation point of view."
Teak Seng called on all parties involved—companies, government agencies and conservationists—to coordinate their efforts to reduce the potential impact of mining on the country.
(Additional reporting by James Welsh)
2 comments:
This short-sighted gov't is fast destroying Cambodia and its natural environment. They make desicions with no consideration for the future generation (selfish gov't). They will turn Cambodia into Sahara desert.
Who do we think this HUN SEN is if he is not a Viet dog?..Sell, sell, sell....Hun Sen sells...nobody can't stop you now! The more you sell, the richer Hanoi gets..lolz
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