Villagers in Laos blame gold mining for river pollution

May 18, 2010, 15:24 GMT

   Vientiane - Villagers in southern Laos accused gold miners of polluting the Xekamanh River, state media reports said Tuesday.

'The river water has been unclean for more than two years and is affecting the livelihoods of the many local residents who rely on the water source as their sole means of income,' the state-run Vientiane Times reported.

   Attapu provincial governor Khamphanh Phommathat acknowledged receiving numerous complaints about the impacts of construction and gold-mining activities along the river.

   Attapu residents said the mining had already affected the river's ecosystem and expressed fears that chemical run-off from operations could cause permanent damage.

   Khamphanh conceded that 'unsanctioned' mining was taking place along the river which may use harmful chemicals such as mercury.

   But the governor claimed there had been no recorded deaths of aquatic animals in the river. He urged residents to remain calm pending the results of an investigation in to the pollution levels.

   Laos is a significant exporter of gold, reserves of which have been found in the southern provinces. While multinational investors have enforced environmental controls over their operations, there are also many unregulated private operators, officials said.