Deal #256

In 2020, the company ordered 10 families to move away from the Nonsomboun village to a nearby mine site area but villagers did not want to move as it is far from the town. Source: RFA Lao

There had been hundreds of employees let go over the years. A particular news story focused on the 400 employees let go last 2014. The company is situated in a remote area of Vilabouly District, Savannakhet Province—one of the most bombed districts in Lao PDR. Over 21,000 people have been killed or injured as a result of unexploded ordnance (UXO) accidents in the post-war period (1974–2018), of which 25 percent were in Savannakhet Province. This legacy brings unique challenges to mining operations, development projects, and agricultural production. Local residents raised their concerns for the negative impacts from this mining especially the loss of forest area and the exposure of chemical use Source: RFA Lao

The Company focuses on small-scale development projects such as fish ponds, meeting places, irrigation, and other activities, in consultation with local villagers close to Sepon mine. Since 2010 more than US$2.5 million has been allocated from the fund. Since operations commenced in 2003, the company has contributed more than US$7.6 million to build schools, hospitals, water, sanitation, roads, and other infrastructure. About 40,000 people in 72 villages around the mine have access to basic services through the Community Development Fund and Fund for the Assistance to the Disadvantaged Groups. The company also building schools, roads, latrines, fishponds, and potable water access. Source: Company’s factsheet