Akara Confirms Operational Standards and Moves Forward
Following the Civil Court’s (“the Court”) judgment in a case filed by a group of local residents against Akara Resources Public Company Limited (“the Company”), in relation to alleged environmental and public health impacts associated with the Company’s gold mine operation, the Court on 24 March 2026 rendered its judgment ordering the Company to pay monetary compensation to the plaintiffs and to undertake remediation under the supervision of a relevant committee.
The Company advises that, upon review of its evidence, there are significant inconsistencies between the evidence presented and the findings of the judgment. It is therefore necessary for the Company to proceed with an appeal to ensure that all evidence, including expert testimony and supporting witness evidence, is fully considered. The Company firmly believes that its evidence is clearly supported by scientific data and is sufficiently credible. However, these key pieces of evidence may not have been fully examined. For these reasons, the Company cannot agree with the judgment and would like to take this opportunity to provide the following additional clarification.
This case has undergone judicial proceedings and fact-finding for nearly a decade since 2016, and is based on allegations referencing information from the period 2011–2016. Throughout this time, the Company has made every effort to present the facts to the Court, supported by extensive evidence, including witness testimony, documentary evidence, and comprehensive academic input from numerous experts.
The Company hereby affirms that, for more than 25 years of operations, it has strictly complied with all applicable laws, regulations, and measures prescribed by relevant government authorities. This includes full compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) requirements. Such compliance covers all aspects of operations, from the design and management of tailings storage facilities in accordance with international standards, to the control and treatment of chemicals used in production processes, as well as the continuous monitoring of environmental quality in soil, water, and air. These practices are supported by clear scientific data and are regularly reviewed by relevant government authorities and institutions. The Company’s Chatree Gold Mine is regarded as one of the most closely monitored and regulated mining operations. In addition, the Company has worked closely with local public health authorities to establish a health surveillance system for communities surrounding the mine. Annual health screenings are conducted for residents within a 5-kilometer radius, and the data is shared with relevant public health authorities at various levels to support ongoing monitoring and care, thereby reinforcing confidence in community health. To date, no evidence has indicated any adverse health impacts attributable to the Company’s operations.
In addition to its technical operations, the Company places strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and actively incorporates community feedback to enhance its operations and build mutual understanding and trust.
Mr. Cherdsak Utha-aroon, General Manager – Sustainability of the Company, stated “If the mine were truly causing impacts, our employees would be the first to be affected. These employees have families and loved ones living in the area, and if we were careless or took actions that put their families at risk, they certainly would not accept it. On the contrary, our employees are dedicated to ensuring that the mine’s operations serve as a fundamental support for both their families and the local economy, without causing harm to their own households. Our employees therefore act as an important mechanism in monitoring and overseeing operations at every stage.
Over the years, the Company has consistently received feedback through various channels, such as ‘I want to work at the mine,’ ‘I want to work close to home,’ and ‘I want the mine to continue operating.’ This legal battle, therefore, is not just about business performance, but also about securing the future of tens of thousands of people who place their trust in the Company.”
This judgment represents only an initial stage of the legal process and is not final. The Company is carefully reviewing the details and reasoning of the judgment on each issue in consultation with its legal advisors, in preparation for filing an appeal. Meanwhile, the Company’s operations continue as normal, and it remains committed to maintaining and continuously enhancing its environmental standards and community engagement, in order touphold the confidence of all stakeholders.
อัคราฯ ยืนยัน มาตรฐานการดำเนินงาน พร้อมเดินหน้าอุทธรณ์ตามกระบวนการยุติธรรม
