Kingsgate, and the Thai subsidiary Akara Mining Limited, constantly aim to improve the understanding of local communities and anticipate the needs of future generations ensuring they benefit from our presence. Currently, at the Chatree mine, the approach to community relations covers employment, conduct, complaints and communication addressing community development activities such as purchasing of goods and services, community contributions and contingency provisions and general business development. The procedure is supported by a review and audit process. 

Chatree’s General Manager is responsible for stakeholder consultation and engagement and heads a team consisting of the community and external relations manager, the environment manager, the human resources manager and the administration and management systems manager.

Local community meetings and petitions to local government have ensured and maintained an ongoing dialogue between Chatree/Akara and the community in relation to specific concerns.

Chatree’s community contributions target activities broadly supportive of the United Nations Millennium Project goals. The specific goals for education, health and water supply are the main areas where Chatree makes a direct contribution. 

Chatree is located in a region relatively infertile, for Thailand, in which the modest farming community has few other employment opportunities. The Chatree mine operation offers an alternative employment resource, with approximately 80% of the workforce sourced from local villages, helping reduce migration to urban areas. Substantial payments having a major benefit on the local economy are made in the form of wages, royalties, goods and services.

The company promotes a ‘Buy Thai’ policy. Since the mine began operations, the goods and services supplied by Thai business have increased steadily to approximately 85% of the mine’s warehouse items.