man and mine: future of loei
In the past, Loei people were happy to posses the land which is abundant in various types of mineral deposits, including gold, copper, iron, zinc, lead, coal, antimony, barite, manganese, gypsum, and limestone.
Recently, some Loei inhabitants, however, felt that this is like a tainted fortune. Since many types of minerals are abundant enough to be commercially viable, Loei has become a magnet for both domestic and foreign mining companies.
Though minerals make our lives more convenient and comfortable, mining is a business which poses the most serious health hazard. One thing that should be noted is that actually these minerals do not belong to Loei people, but they belong to the state, as prescribed in the minerals law.
Even though many relevant laws guarantee community rights to participate in the decision making process that grants a mining concession in various stages, in practice, images and voices of that right are so blurred and fainted that they have almost never been seen or heard by anyone.
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