Keep an eye on mining

At the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, the Thai government signed an MoU with the US government to collaborate on the development of rare-earth materials.

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The Thai government and the mining industry welcome this MoU as a catalyst for a mining renaissance and for positioning Thailand in the rare-earth supply chain.

Thailand might not have a large reserve of rare-earth minerals, but it is already listed as a major producer that imports them to produce electric components.

The Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), however, estimates that there are massive deposits of rare-earth materials in the southern region's seas and mountains.

These untapped materials are believed to be in tin mine deposits in the region, starting from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Phatthalung provinces. Needless to say, the MoU will rekindle the need for the DPIM and industry to explore these reserves.

But not everyone has welcomed this MoU. Civic groups, environmentalists, and some politicians view it with concern. Their apprehension is rooted in past problems with mining.