Akara given clean bill of health on local water tests

Bangkok: 5 June 2015 – In a continuing effort to strengthen trust and confidence among local communities, Akara Resources Public Company Limited – the operator of the world-class, zero-discharge Chatree Operation – revealed that an analysis of water samples collected from areas around the mine, conducted by the Research and Laboratory Development Center, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, had found no trace of arsenic or cyanide.

The Subdistrict Administrative Organizations of Tai Dong subdistrict, Wang Pong district, and Khao Jed Look subdistrict, Tub Khlo district, recently joined forces with the Public Health Offices in Wang Pong and Khao Jed Look, Health Promoting Hospitals in Wang Kradat Ngern, Dong Long, and Daan Chang, Subdistrict Administrative Organization members, representatives of local communities, and Akara Resources PCL officials to carry out a water quality survey from 35 local water sources around Chatree Mining Complex – including tap water, wells, artesian aquifers, pools, and canals. Water samples from these sources were collected and sent to the Research and Laboratory Development Center, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health for analysis on February 5, 2015. The Center’s results show no trace of cyanide or arsenic contamination in local water sources despite previous concerns.

“Akara would like to thank the Subdistrict Administrative Organization of Tai Dong, the Department of Health, the Ministry of Public Health, and other organizations for supporting us in the collection of water samples and acting as liaisons for community outreach purposes. The test results, based on the Ministry of Public Health’s stringent standards, will certainly relieve locals of any concerns regarding water consumption in everyday life. Regardless, the company remains fully committed to supporting local communities and further developing their water supply systems. We will continue to stand united with them as one family,” said Mr. Pakorn Sukhum, Chief Executive Officer of Akara Resources PCL.

Today, Akara Resources is supporting the construction of community water supply systems in 17 villages across three provinces, covering the areas of Khao Jed Look subdistrict, Tub Khlo district, Phichit province, Tai Dong subdistrict, Wang Pong district, Phetchabun province, and Noen Maprang subdistrict, Wang Prong district, . With assistance from government agencies, Akara has developed and delivered such projects for various communities, provided support for state-funded projects, and facilitated regular cleaning and filter replacement services. Additionally, the company constantly monitors the water supply for potential heavy metal contamination by working with the Department of Health and local officials to collect water samples for further scientific analysis by reputable laboratories.

About Akara Resources Public Company Limited

Akara Resources Public Company Limited owns and operates the largest “Zero Discharge” gold mine in in terms of ore and gold production at the Chatree Operation since 2001. The Chatree Operation straddles the Phichit, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok Provinces in Central Thailand. The total nameplate processing capacity at the Chatree Operation is currently operating at 6.2 million tonnes per annum, including 130,000 ounces of gold and 1 million ounces of silver per annum. As a result, the company has contributed over 3 billion baht in royalty fees to the government to further drive economic growth and quality of life improvements among local communities.

For more information, please contact

Corporation Communications and Public Relations Department, Akara Resources PCL

Ms. Praphapit Jumpee (Aor) email: [email protected] Tel: 081-172-7618081-172-7618

Ms. Nuntarat Charnchakritpong (Nan) email: [email protected] Tel: 089-479-7585089-479-7585