News
Laos works to strengthen SMEs prior to AEC integration
Around 400 representatives from enterprises, companies, banks, and financial institutes of Laos and Thailand met in Vientiane Capital on June 16 to discuss improving Lao Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and enhancing their competitiveness in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The half-day seminar was held at the ...
Community opposition impeding consultations on controversial dam: Australian firm
An Australian company contracted to assess the potential environmental and social impact of the planned Mongton dam has responded to recent criticism of the consultation process, saying that interference with its data collection efforts could lead to “suboptimal outcomes for the affected communities.” The Snowy Mountains ...
Cambodia mine on track for 2016 start-up
India’s Mesco Gold (Cambodia) presented to the Cambodian Ministry of Mines and Energy that its Phum Syarung underground mine, in the northeastern province of Ratanakiri will start with initial capacity of 500 tons per day with a recovery rate of 85%. Angkor Gold discovered the epithermal gold deposit ...
Myanmar Govt earns US$170 million monthly from gas exports
Natural gas exports earn Myanmar US$170 million each month, with a total of 1.6 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas exported to Thailand and China, according to the Ministry of Energy. “Gas exports earn over US$170 million every month, including taxes and other charges. ...
Mekong fishing leading to erosion
Intensive shrimp aquaculture and destructive fishing practices have contributed to coastal erosion and reduced biodiversity in Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Ben Tre, Vietnam, according to a community-based project carried out in the region. The project’s community eco-tourism model was implemented in Thanh Phong Commune in ...
Australian-controlled Thai gold mine faces accusations of polluting water supply
An Australian-controlled gold mine in central Thailand is facing fresh accusations of polluting local water supplies with villagers demanding a new investigation into the mine’s operations. The Akara (Chatree) mine is controlled by Sydney-based Kingsgate Consolidated limited and located 280km north of Bangkok. The accusations follow earlier charges ...
Thai customs seize 511 pieces of elephant ivory destined for Laos
More than three tonnes of elephant ivory have been found at a Thai port stashed in a container shipped from Kenya, customs said on Monday, the second huge haul of tusks from Africa in less than a week. The discovery, which would be worth millions of ...
Disaster alert system begins
Starting 30 March 2015, residents of Banteay Meanchey, Pursat and Kampong Thom provinces can enrol in a disaster-response calling service through their phones in anticipation of the impending rainy season. “[In the past] the emergency comes before the information. The other channels we have used are ...
Tiger meat and bear paws on menu for Chinese tourists in Laos, says report
A resort complex in northwest Laos targeting Chinese visitors has become a “lawless playground” for the trade in illegal wildlife ranging from tiger meat to bear paws, an advocacy group has said. Customers “can openly buy endangered species products” in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone on ...
Volumes up, returns down as Laos' mining figures confirm impact of global commodity prices
The hit to the value of Laos’ mineral commodity exports inflicted by lower international prices have been confirmed by figures showing an 8.7 percent decrease in returns despite increasing production, local media has reported. Falling prices for gold, potash and copper inflicted the greatest downward pressure ...
