Health problems and mining exploitation

Villagers in Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces are experiencing health
problems because of mining at sites in the Prey Lang forest, according
to a local rights group.

Chemical substances used in about 3,000 mining drills operating in the
Prey Lang forest in Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces are wreaking
environmental havoc and making people sick, a report by the Cambodian
Center for Human Rights released yesterday says.

Substances used by a number of Chinese-run companies, businessmen and
villagers to mine gold have caused 70 per cent of the trees in the
area to die, and the contamination of nearby rivers and lakes,
according to the group.

"Starting a year ago, villagers and animals in the community began
having a lot of health problems they never used to, and at least 50
buffaloes and cows have died from drinking river water," the report
states.

The Steung Chinet River, the Kam­­­­pong Thmar River in Kampong Thom
and a stretch of the Mekong River in Kratie have been contaminated, it
says, without identifying the chemicals at fault.

CCHR co-ordinator for public forums Chhim Savuth alleged local
authorities were being bribed by businessmen to let them mine as they
pleased.

"The authorities are not finding measures against the anarchical
digging from mining. Instead, soldiers and environment officers are
collaborating with businessmen to destroy the natural resources," he
said.

In Kratie's Sambor district, soldiers took monthly mining bribes from
businessmen of 50,000 riel (US$12.50) for small machines and 80,000
(US$20) to 100,000 riel (US$25) for large machines, he alleged.

Chhum Yim, a representative of villagers in Sandan district, said
residents had previously mined the area, but only with natural
substances, adding that the chemicals used by companies since 2009
were having negative effects on the community.

Those effects were worsening day by day, he said.

"If the government does not take timely action, not only will our
villagers have health problems, our natural resources will be
destroyed," he said.

Sandan district governor Sim Vanna said the companies had been granted
licences by the government for mining, but denied any knowledge of
local officials being bribed.

Sambor district governor Seng Sotha attributed the negative impact of
digging to unlicensed villagers, saying they affected the environment.

May Titthara at titthara.may@phnompenhpost.com
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012050856034/National-news/reckless-mining-takes-its-toll.html