Udon Potash mining status

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Prenders88
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Udon Potash mining status

Post by Prenders88 » June 10, 2011, 9:35 am

"Vietnam and the deep water port of Danang".

Funny how the Chinese have just extended their sea boundaries just off the Vietnamese coast, one aircraft carrier ready and another four on the way most probably to enforce the "new" borders.



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Udon Potash mining status

Post by FrazeeDK » June 12, 2011, 8:20 am

Yes, the Chinese are on the verge of finising their resurrection of the old Russian carrier.. Of course, having a carrier does not a sea-power make.. a la' the Thai's mini-carrier that has no operational attack aircraft (the Harriers are all broken). As for 4 more carriers, the Chinese have been rehabbing the Russian carrier for 4 years. I wouldn't expect they could build and launch 4 more for at least 5 years plus and perhaps if it is a tiered production the last wouldn't be launched for nearly 10 years...

China is all about obtaining and controlling resources of all types.. The Potash in Udon, the Bauxite in Laos, the potential oil/gas resources in the South China Sea.. Hand-in-hand with getting control of resources is access/transportation.. Hence, the proposed rail link from Kunming to Bangkok via Laos. Also, note the huge Chinese development of the Dawei port in western Burma with its attendant road/rail/oil and gas pipeline routes from the port into China. This will allow the Chinese to detour their critical Middle East oil and gas imports around the chokepoint of the Malacca Straits (near Singapore) and shorten the import distance substantially.. Oh, Thai Companies are also deeply involved in the Dawei development and will develop road/rail links from Thailand west through Burma to the port.

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Post by bumper » June 12, 2011, 11:41 am

ITD the one that is trying to sell it's part of the mine is involved with deep water port. The interesting thing is it is deeply in debt. On it's my watch list for stocks. The Damn project if you recall Vietnam and others trying to stop it. Thailand is still full speed ahead on that one. It would seem that China and Vietnam are not always on the same page.

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Post by parrot » August 23, 2011, 8:44 pm

Udon citizens concerned about the mine's environmental impact distributed flyers around the city on 21 August. The flyers contest the credibility of the Asia Pacific Potash Corporation's (APPC) environmental impact statement. The citizens, wearing green t-shirts, passed out the flyers at key locations around the city.

If anyone happens to get one of these flyers and can scan it, I'd like to read it for a Thai homework assignment.
http://www.udclick.com/home1/index.php? ... mid=127041

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Udon Potash mining status

Post by parrot » September 10, 2011, 10:51 am

I don't consider myself an environmental activist, but if I was living in the area of the potash veins, I'd worry about any promises made by either the government or the operating company to keep things clean.
The continuing saga of coal transportation in Samut Sakhon, as related in this article, shows the dark side to the government's environmental enforcement policies.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investi ... mut-sakhon

I'm surprised that the potash mine hasn't gone ahead....given the immense amounts of cash that will be generated once it begins operations. At the same time, I think the people in that neighborhood are better off without it.

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Post by bumper » September 10, 2011, 11:09 am

Ain't over yet, new sheriff in town

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Post by FrazeeDK » September 10, 2011, 6:59 pm

too much potential money wrapped up in the Udon South and Udon North potash deposits.. It's merely a question of when it will happen.. We can only hope that it is done right with the appropriate salt and dust contamination controls. Remember, the potash is down 300-500 meters.. One of the plans discussed is to shaft mine the potash using a pillared vault method. then bring up the potash, wash it (millions of liters of water) and then put the waste salte et al back in the mine...

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Post by bumper » September 10, 2011, 7:51 pm

Ya it's going to happen. So much salty water around now it ridicules, wonder if ITD sold it's holding?

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Post by parrot » December 21, 2011, 8:16 pm

500 people gathered in front of government admin buildings in Udon yesterday to protest against land concessions granted to the Asia Pacific Potash Corporation in Nong Pai village in Amphur Non Sung. The protestors, wearing green and camped out on the sidewalks in front of the building, alleged that the outgoing governor signed over the concessions before departing (recently) for his new assignment in Chonburi.
One of the coordinators for the protest said that the concession area was on high land, and that water from that area flowed downhill toward the Nong Han water catchment area (The Sea of Red Lotuses). He alleged that proper environmental assessment had not been conducted before awarding the concession.
The villagers filed a letter of protest with authorities and will return on 23 December to continue their protest.
http://www.thairath.co.th/content/region/224895

After reading the article, for grins I ran my cursor on google earth from Nong Pai 17°15'16.81"N 102°53'34.38"E to Nong Han Lake (roughly) 17°12'11.19"N 103° 1'17.03"E. Elevation at the general area of the mining concession - 636ft. It appears the water that flows from the Nong Pai area would connect to an inlet that joins the lake at 555ft.

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Post by Prenders88 » December 22, 2011, 5:59 am

See the Lotus lake while you still can.
Udon Thani, best seen through your car's rear view mirror.

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Post by trubrit » December 22, 2011, 3:34 pm

This is getting more like a comedy show every day .The villagers are still camped at City Hall and have booked a Mor Lam concert to entertain them this evening . :-"
On the legal side. It appears the outgoing Governor was" persuaded "to give his approval for the project to go ahead by granting further concessions just before being moved to Chonburi . Now the incoming Governor is not happy that environmental studies have allayed the fears local people affected by the project, and wants to cancel them. :roll:
Ageing is a privilige denied to many .

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Post by parrot » December 22, 2011, 7:12 pm

My fear with such mining is: the ill-effects, if any, won't show up until business is well underway and money starts flowing in. By that time, there'll be slim chance, if any, to put a halt to the business. For me, I wouldn't want to live in the area, especially downhill (south) of the proposed mine. But I'm sure a lot of people are chomping at the bit to get this mine underway.

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Post by jackman » December 22, 2011, 8:03 pm

Our local bicycle crew rides on and/or nearby the Potash Mine Site in Non Soong located on your left off the main Hwy 2 (Friendship Highway) approximately 15km south of Udon Thani at least 3 times a month. There has been no activity at the future mine building site in the past 8 years. However, there is a lot of work being done at the Rail head in NonTha Khai. Someone noted that it looked like they were building a new UD Town there. It is that large in scale. There is also construction on a second rail line adj to the single track in place. Hi speed line? We also noticed that there is construction going on at the Udon Rail yard too. With expansion of land near the oil yards. It makes sense there is something up.Are they building two rail lines or something else? I'll keep you up to speed on what we observe on our rides and will check if the second rail line is going South toward Khon Kean as well as North to Udon,Nong Khai,Lao.
On the highways near Big C you'll sometimes see lowboy trucks carrying mining ore(Potash?) Heading south toward Khon Kean. I believe this is from the Udon Potash Mine North but I don't know where it is located.
My wife's village and my man cave is only a mile as the crow flies from the proposed Potash Processing Site.
So,right now I have great clean water, and I/we don't want or need the Potash mine. Jackman

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Post by parrot » December 22, 2011, 8:36 pm

From what I've read, the protests are centered around the granting of concessions. I wouldn't expect any actual mining activity to happen until the concessions are cleared up.
If you happen to see any activity, how about post a photo or update here to keep us in the loop!

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Post by FrazeeDK » December 22, 2011, 8:51 pm

The Udon "North" potash site actually is under the east side of Udon so there is no 'site" per se. If you Google Udon Potash you'll find a number of the geological surveys that actually show a map of where the deposits lie. Udon south runs east of Non Soong village north and south.. All potash deposits are 300-500 meters deep and will require deep shaft mining. As for the railway sidings being built in Nong Takai village I would suspect it is being built to support shipment of refined potash ore in the future. The various studies all agree that there is a large amount of potash in both locations, approximately 25 years worth. The studies also comment that if the Udon South deposit is mined that Thailand will be able to stop potassium based fertilizer imports in a year or so... This would positively impact farmers who have to buy expensive imported fertilizers and certainly build up thailand's foreign reserves... As Parrot points out though, the dangers of an ecological disaster are surely there..
Dave

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Post by parrot » May 16, 2012, 11:55 am

The permit-wheels grind slowly, but they continue to grind. Here's the latest from today's Bangkok Post:
Watchdog wants licence put on hold
Published: 16/05/2012 at 01:55 AM

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Industry Ministry to temporarily suspend the issuing of a mining licence to a potash mining company in Udon Thani.

Niran: Residents still concerned

The demand was made yesterday during an NHRC-organised forum to find the best solution to a long-running conflict between residents and Asia Pacific Potash company, which wants the licence.

The NHRC earlier received a complaint from residents who feared potash mining could cause severe health and environment problems.

Residents, Udon Thani provincial officials and Industry Ministry staff attended the forum.

NHRC commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara said the Department of Primary Industries and Mines at the Industry Ministry should temporarily suspend the process of issuing the mining licence to the firm until the conflict was resolved.

"We have not yet seen any reason to go ahead with the process to issue the licence amid the ongoing conflict. The problem remains as there is no clear resolution," Dr Niran said.

A special panel made up of representatives from state agencies and the civil sector was formed recently by the department to come up with a resolution.

Asia Pacific Potash said it has completed a study of health and environment impacts on local communities, as required by the law. The company said it has scheduled the first public hearing on the study on May 24.

However, residents at the forum asked the NHRC to investigate the licence-issuing process, which they suspect of having been "unlawful".

Dr Niran said if the panel finds the licence issuing process broke the law, it should issue an order to the company to abort the project.

Deecha Khambaomaung, from the Environment Conservation Group of Udon Thani, said locals were worried by the company's perceived attempt to quickly wrap up the process of community participation in vetting the project. "The company opened the floor for residents' questions, but just one day later it entered the area to secure the potash mining land despite continued opposition toward the project," he said.

If approved, the project is expected to affect five surrounding communities in Udon Thani's Muang and Prachak Silapakom districts.

Mr Deecha said locals are afraid that particles of potash will harm their health. About 5,420 tonnes of water containing salt from processing the mineral will be discharged each day from the site, increasing soil salinity.

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Post by Aardvark » May 16, 2012, 12:16 pm

I'm surprised that Local Residents Concerns are being listened to in the Face of the potential profits to be made. This has been going on for some Years now and I think something will have to give soon. My bet was always on the Mine going ahead, but now I'm not so sure :-k

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Post by rogatm » May 16, 2012, 12:29 pm

the comment on 5470 tons of salt water being discharged is actually not true, all waste water discharged after processing from the mine is to be run through an osmosis plant, therefore only water will be discharged into setting ponds and allowed to drain away . in the origianl minig consent application this was not put forward, and hence the delay in granting a minig permit. i have it on good autority that the ming liscense will be approved august 2012. this will be good for udon thani as many jobs will be avaidable for locals. and will definately boost the economy here.

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Post by BobHelm » May 16, 2012, 12:37 pm

Since China started its mineral & metals grab a couple of years ago I always suspected that this potash was going to one place. Nothing that I have read since has made me alter my view, quite the opposite infact it looks even more likely now than before. China are in no rush until the transportation issues are resolved & that is why I watch the China Bangkok rail link with interest, as that would be the most cost effective method to use.
I believe that if the current owners of the mining rights are found to have obtained that licence legally then they will be persuaded that an easier route to obtaining a profit would be selling the licence than extracting the mineral.
If its' issue was illegal then I expect a Chinese consortium to be the winner of any new issue.

Sadly I think it has little to do with 'people power' Aa & much to do with timing & a better cash offer!!

Thanks for the update parrot as I had not seen that before..

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Post by parrot » May 16, 2012, 2:35 pm

The Thai Army weighed in on the mine, according to The Nation:
Keep away from our base, army warns miners
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

UDON THANI: -- A mining concession sought by the Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC) is likely to face opposition from the Royal Thai Army, which says that the mining activities would encroach on a military base in Udon Thani and affect its underground weapons storage.

"We will not allow any individual to conduct any activities on the ground or in underground areas inside the military base. It would affect base security," said Colonel Sathaporn Boonchoo, chief of the Royal Thai Army Division 24's Maintenance Support Unit.

He was speaking at a meeting held by the National Human Rights Commission, which had invited representatives from various agencies to provide more information about the potash-mining proposal.

The meeting, chaired by NHRC member Dr Nirand Pitakwatchara, came after Udon Thani residents filed a complaint citing community rights violations and lack of due process in APPC's seeking permission for the mining concession.

Sathaporn said APPC told him it would pay compensation for the use of the military base.

About 803 rai of the Yutthasilpprasit military camp's 13th Artillery Division would be affected by the mining.

"A military training centre, arsenal, bomb storehouse and underground storage are located in the area of these mining activities," the colonel said. "We are afraid the mining will affect the weapons storehouse and base security."

If the company wants to mine under the military base, it must first ask permission from the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.

"We found that at no time had there been a request from the company seeking permission to mine under the military camp," Sathaporn said.

According to the Primary Industries and Mines Department, APPC sought permission in 2004 to conduct a survey for potash under 26,000 rai of Udon Thani province encompassing in five sub-districts and two villages.

The company surveyed and drilled more than 160 holes. On November 25, 2011, the department and the provincial industrial office announced the company’s request to seek a mining concession and asked for objections from members of the public.

Since then, the proposal has been opposed by locals and conservation groups.

They have asked the department to investigate the company's process of measuring the land and say they have found irregularities.

However, the department's senior official Chartchai Cherdcheun said it had asked the company to conduct an environmental and health impact assessment (EHIA) and submit it to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.

"The department will give a green light for this project if the company’s EHIA report is approved by ONEP," he said.


-- The Nation 2012-05-16

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