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A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

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MINE: Chatree gold m<strong>in</strong>e<br />

LOCATION: Pichit, Thailand<br />

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Open pit gold m<strong>in</strong>es<br />

AREA OF LEADING PRACTICE: Safety; community engagement;<br />

<strong>in</strong>ternational company operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a develop<strong>in</strong>g country<br />

HANDBOOK(S) REFERENCE: Community Engagement<br />

DESCRIPTION OF INNOVATION:<br />

The Chatree m<strong>in</strong>e is the largest gold m<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> Thailand. The m<strong>in</strong>e is operated by<br />

Akara m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, a Thai subsidiary of K<strong>in</strong>gsgate Consolidated Limited, an Australian<br />

company. The m<strong>in</strong>e provides an excellent example of how foreign-owned<br />

companies can work optimally <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g countries. Highlights <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />

99% of the 1000-strong workforce is Thai.<br />

For six years there has been no lost time <strong>in</strong>juries (15.3 million hours worked)<br />

31% management positions held by women<br />

A significant <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> education and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g through scholarships,<br />

support<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong>erals education at Thai universities and other <strong>in</strong>itiatives<br />

Received the Thai National award for Health, Safety and Environment and<br />

the Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister’s Labour Relations award for the 5th consecutive year.<br />

Thailand is a challeng<strong>in</strong>g country for m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g companies <strong>to</strong> ga<strong>in</strong> access <strong>to</strong><br />

m<strong>in</strong>eral resources. NGOs and community action groups are active. M<strong>in</strong>dful of<br />

this general anti-m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g atmosphere, Akara has worked particularly hard on<br />

its community relations. In 2007, K<strong>in</strong>gsgate became the world’s only m<strong>in</strong>er <strong>to</strong><br />

achieve the Social Accountability SA 8000 accreditation which is ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />

<strong>to</strong> date. 60% of m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g royalties go directly <strong>to</strong> local prov<strong>in</strong>ces and village<br />

councils. This <strong>to</strong>talled $4.5 million <strong>in</strong> 2009.<br />

The company has worked <strong>to</strong> meet various standards and codes <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g ISO 9001;<br />

ISO 14001; OHSAS 18001; ISO 17025; SA 8000 and the Cyanide Management Code.<br />

Figure 4.7 – progressive waste dump rehabilitation at Chatree<br />

104 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

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