Timeline of Kingsgate-Akara Gold Mining case, what has happened?

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Kingsgate- Akara Gold Mining case has been going on for a while along with Thais’ interest as it reached 1^st place on Twitter trend occasionally. As this dispute gave rise to foreign companies’ claim to damages from Thailand through arbitration proceeding, it has increased search in details on Kingsgate case. THAC would like to take this opportunity to offer an overview of official information for your understanding as follows;

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd, the parent company of the Akara Resources Plc,

Timeline of Akara Gold Mining Case

On November 2001, Akara started to operate commercial mining at South Chatree Mine
On November 2008, Akara started to operate commercial mining at North Chatree Mine

Remark

South Chatree Mine Covered 5 land parcels with an approximate of 1,400 Rai, was grant a mining concession (Prathanabat) in 2000, which will be expired in 2020, while North Chatree Mine covered 9 land parcels, with an approximate of 2,500 Rai was grant Prathanabat in 2008 which will be expired in 2028.

Source : Information from the fact sheet, Akara Resources Public Company Limited

On 10 May 2016, the Cabinet meeting considered the report on the investigation of facts and solving health and environment problems from Akara Company’s mineral mining.
On 7 June 2016, the Cabinet’s 10 May 2016 resolution was rescinded due to the video presentation and the lack of documentation and has issued a cabinet resolution to

Acknowledged the report by the Minister of Industry and ordered the Ministry of Industry to publicize correct information of the operation to the public
The Ministry of Industry and relevant agencies to proceed with this matter in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Source : https://cabinet.soc.go.th/doc_image/2559/993197635.pdf

On 13 December 2016, the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order No. 72/2559 was issued […] which a summary is as follows;

Suspend the renewal of the Mining License and the Gold Metallurgy Processing License until the Board of Committee resolves otherwise
For entrepreneurs who is granted Prathanabat and licenses according to the laws related to business operation

Source : Government Gazette Volume 133, Special Section 289 Ngor, published on December 13, 2016

On 3 April 2017, Kingsgate (which is a major shareholder of Akara) announced a public release that it had to send a request to engage in consultations as required under TAFTA and that if this issue could not be discussed, it is necessary to proceed with the international arbitration process.

Entering an international arbitration is subjected to Section 917(2)(b) of TAFTA (An abbreviation of Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement), which was signed in 2004 and entered into force in 2005.

Source : http://www.akararesources.com/th/open/post/1272/attachment

For further information, please contact THAC!

Timeline of Kingsgate-Akara Gold Mining case, what has happened?