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Telling the story of Akara today: Innovations in Modern Gold Mining for Global Sustainability

Akara Gold Mine. Ready to resume operations with a vision and innovations of modern gold mining. We are set to propel Thailand's economy forward with a commitment to global safety and sustainability standards.
เล่าเรื่องเหมืองทองอัคราวันนี้ นวัตกรรมเหมืองยุคใหม่ของการทำเหมืองทองเพื่อความยั่งยืนระดับโลก

Thailand…The Land of Abundance
Thailand is a nation rich in natural resources, fueling its economy and positioning the country on the global stage. From aromatic jasmine rice and mouthwatering fruits to high-quality rubber and precious “gold,” these treasures not only drive economic growth but also enhance the nation’s global reputation.

Among these resources, gold stands as a timeless symbol of prosperity. Today, the Chatree Gold Mine—a world-class gold mining operation—is poised to reclaim its position as a leader in the gold mining industry. With innovations, adherence to international standards, and a commitment to sustainability, Akara proudly contributes to Thailand’s economy and brings pride to all Thai people.

Discovering Akara’s Gold Mine Today… Facts You May Not Know

“Akara Resources Public Company Limited” is a Thai-owned gold mining company holding the mining leases for the Chatree Gold Mine, the largest world-class gold mine in Thailand, located on the border between Phichit and Phetchabun provinces.

With a steadfast commitment to responsible mining practices, Akara focuses on three key areas:

  • Economic Development: Generating jobs, supporting livelihoods, and boosting income for local communities and the national economy.
  • Community Care: Improving the quality of life through initiatives in education, healthcare, and sustainable community development.
  • Environmental Conservation: Employing world-class, eco-friendly technologies and innovations while rehabilitating land areas alongside mining operations.

Despite numerous challenges, Akara remains driven by its commitment to sustainable growth in harmony with the community and the nation.

A new journey has begun.”

Today, Akara is back with renewed dedication. The operation will continue to uphold rigorous safety measures, adopt environmentally friendly innovations, and adhere to globally recognized standards that ensure sustainability and reliability over time.

The New Era of Akara Gold Mine… Moving Forward with Sustainability

The Chatree Gold Mine is making a comeback, leading the gold mining industry with “New Era Innovations” rooted in ESG principles.

  • Environmental: We integrate modern, environmentally friendly innovations and technologies to position ourselves as a global leader in sustainable gold mining. Key initiatives include:
    • Closed-system ensuring nothing is released to the outside.
    • An internationally-certified tailings storage facilities, to prevent seepage.
    • 100% water recycling from the production process, 
    • Eco-conscious blasting innovations, such as timed detonation delays to minimize noise and vibration, water injection before blasting to reduce dust, and land rehabilitation alongside mining.
  • Social: We are committed to creating shared value with local communities through various initiatives, including job creation, career development, educational support, health promotion, and training programs that enhance skills and provide greater employment opportunities.
  • Governance: We adhere to the highest governance standards, conducting our business with transparency, accountability, and responsibility towards all stakeholders. 

In addition, we are pursuing another major goal: transforming Thailand into a ‘Gold Hub,’ positioning the country as a leading gold production center in Southeast Asia. This initiative is driven by the business collaboration between Akara Resources Public Company Limited, Precious Metal Refining Company Limited (PMR), and Ausiris Company Limited. Together, we form a seamless and high-quality gold production network spanning upstream (Akara-Smelting), midstream (PMR-Refining), and downstream (Ausiris-Fabricating) operations.

This effort aims to add ‘value’ to Thai gold and silver products and boost competitiveness by ensuring compliance with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). This enables businesses to benefit from tariff reductions in destination countries by using gold and silver extracted and fabricated in Thailand, aligning with Local Content regulations. This initiative not only gives Thai businesses a competitive edge in international markets but also reduces reliance on imports and increases order volumes, particularly within ASEAN. Moreover, it aligns with the government’s economic policies, which prioritize free trade agreements to attract foreign investment to Thailand.

Akara Gold Mine: Driving Thailand’s Economy with a Positive Impact from Upstream to Downstream

With the reopening of the Akara Gold Mine, we are committed to upholding our reputation as one of the safest gold mining operators in the world while fostering sustainability. Our vision is to play a pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s economy across the entire value chain—from upstream to downstream—on a global scale, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.

Our mission is to create a positive impact across multiple sectors, as outlined below:

Economic Impact 

As Thailand’s only major gold producer, Akara plays a vital role in creating a significant economic impact that contributes to the sustainable growth of the Thai economy.

  • Huge Investment: The reopening of Akara Gold Mine comes with an investment exceeding 2.6 billion baht for the overhaul, repair, and development of machinery, metallurgical plants, and facilities, ensuring readiness to produce high-quality gold for the global market.
  • Stimulating the Circular Economy: Akara projects an annual economic circulation of over 4 billion baht through support for local businesses, procurement, and employment opportunities.
  • Positioning Thailand as the ASEAN “Gold Hub”: Akara is committed to driving Thailand to become the “Gold Trading Center” in the ASEAN, creating massive business opportunities and boosting national income.

How Mineral Royalties Benefit Thai Society

Mineral royalties play a vital role in returning profits to society and enhancing the quality of life for all Thai people. These royalties, a form of taxation on the use of natural resources, contribute significantly to the nation’s development.

At Akara, we are proud to support Thailand’s progress through the transparent and proper payment of mineral royalties. Since the beginning of our operations, Akara has paid over 4.5 billion baht in mineral royalties. After resuming operations in March 2023, we have already contributed more than 700 million baht to the Thai government. These funds are directly channeled into national and local development initiatives that benefit communities across the country.

How Mineral Royalties Are Allocated

  • 40% to the Central Government: This portion of the mineral royalties is allocated to the central government, supporting various sectors of national development.
  • 60% to Local Communities:
    • 50% for Local Areas Near Akara Gold Mine: These funds focus on improving the quality of life for communities around the mine and promoting sustainable development.
    • 10% for Local Administrative Organizations Nationwide: Distributed across local administrative organizations (Subdistricts) throughout Thailand, these funds help address regional needs and boost community welfare.

Social Impact: Creating Value, Opportunities, and Happiness

Above All Else… People Are the Heart of Akara.

At Akara, we firmly believe that business success must go hand in hand with social development and the improvement of the quality of life for local communities. Our commitment is centered around the well-being of people, as they are the foundation of everything we do.

  • Creating Jobs and Stimulating Local Economies – Akara provides employment to over 1,000 local residents, with more than 90% of our workforce coming from nearby communities. This employment helps drive the local economy, generate income, and uplift the standard of living. Beyond providing jobs, we are committed to fostering long-term self-sufficiency, empowering communities to thrive independently for years to come.
  • Enhancing Quality of Life – Our initiatives extend beyond traditional business operations to actively support programs that enhance the lives of local residents. These programs include:
    • Education: Life skills development and access to quality education.
    • Healthcare: Improved access to medical services and wellness programs.
    • Community Enrichment: Support for sports, religious activities, and cultural preservation.

By investing in these areas, we aim to strengthen the foundation of local development, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.

  • Strengthening Families and Communities – One of Akara’s core commitments is to build strong, resilient families. By creating local opportunities, we help reduce the need for migration, allowing families to stay together and thrive in their communities. This focus on family unity contributes to a stronger social fabric and greater community stability.

Akara Gold Mine: A Thai Gold Mine Driving Sustainability Forward for Thailand

A new chapter has begun at Akara as the mine resumes operations, reaffirming our commitment to being “Thailand’s High-Quality Gold Mine with World-Class Sustainability and Safety.”

Our mission goes beyond gold production. We are dedicated to fostering sustainable economic, social, and environmental development, ensuring long-term benefits for Thailand and its people.

@2024 AKARA RESOURCES COPYRIGHTED