Udon Thani Potash Mine

Thailand
Asia Pacific Resources Ltd. (Asia Pacific was acquired by SMRT Holdings, a New Brunswick company, in 2006)

Critics are concerned that the Udon Thani mine will generate significant salt pollution, destroying farmland and water sources, affecting the source of livelihood for 20,000 people.[1]  Even the company’s environmental assessment, which has been criticized by Thai academics, politicians and environmentalists, predicts that land in the concession area will sink as much as 70 cm.[2]   The Asia Times reports that leaders of the Udon Thani Conservation Group, who question the project, have received death threats from representatives of companies that were promised contracts for the mine by Asia Pacific.[3]


[1]  MacIsaac, Vincent. Thai Mining Conflict Feared Fatal. Asia Times. May 26, 2005 (hereinafter MacIsaac). 
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GE26Ae03.html
[2]  Patterson, Kelly. Into the final frontier: In the race for resources, Canadian mining firms are leading the charge into environmental hotspots. The Ottawa Citizen. October 2, 2005; MacIsaac.
[3]  MacIsaac.