Udon North mine
{{Short description|Proposed potash mine in Thailand}}
{{Infobox mine
| name = Udon North Mine
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| coordinates = {{coord|17.297445|102.865592|region:TH_type:landmark|display=title}}
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| state/province = Udon Thani Province
| country = Thailand
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| products = Potash
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The Udon North Mine is a large potash mine in northern Thailand in Udon Thani Province. The project is approximately 15-20 kilometres southeast of the city of Udon Thani. The project area, including Udon South Mine, covers five sub-districts including Non Sung, Nong Phai, and Nong Khon Kwang of Mueang Udon Thani District together with Huai Sam Phat and Na Muang Sub-districts of Prachaksinlapakhom District.{{cite web|title=Project Location|url=http://www.appc.co.th/en/project_location.html|website=Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC)|accessdate=9 October 2017}} Northeast Thailand is believed to contain the world's third-largest—after Canada and Russia—unexploited potash reserves.{{cite news |last1=Saisom |first1=Jirasuda |title=New push for potash mining hits opposition in Isaan |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2017/11/14/new-push-potash-mining-hits-opposition-isaan/ |accessdate=5 July 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=14 November 2017}}
Operations
Mining operations occupy an area of about 26,446 rai or 42.3 km2 which consists of the processing plant area of 1,250 rai (2 km2) and an underground mine. The mine is an underground room and pillar mine projected to reach depths of 350–380 metres.{{cite web|title=Project Implementation|url=http://www.appc.co.th/en/project_Implementation.html|website=Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC)|accessdate=9 October 2017}}
Udon North and South represent one of the largest potash reserves in Thailand, having estimated reserves of 665 million tonnes of ore grading 16 percent potassium chloride extracted from sylvite ore.{{cite web|url=http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2003/thmyb03.pdf|title=Exploration in Thailand|year=2012|publisher=minerals.usgs.gov|accessdate=2013-07-26}} With a construction budget of more than 30 billion baht, the project is slated to have a maximum capacity of two million tonnes of potash a year.
Local opposition
{{Asof|July 2015}} mining had not begun at at least some sites due to local opposition.{{cite news|last1=Saengpassa|first1=Chularat|title=Locals up in arms over potash mine|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Locals-up-in-arms-over-potash-mine-30264311.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807173746/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Locals-up-in-arms-over-potash-mine-30264311.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2015|accessdate=9 October 2017|work=The Nation|date=2015-07-13}} Concerns include questions about the disposal of mine tailings, a waste rock by-product and projected land subsidance. New mining legislation in the form of a minerals act to be enacted 29 October 2017, has increased fears among activists that its intent is to dampen public participation in mining decisions while expediting mining projects.{{cite news|last1=Fernes|first1=Praveena|last2=Gurney|first2=Molly|title=New mining legislation in Thailand – Who will really benefit?|url=http://isaanrecord.com/2017/08/09/new-mining-legislation-thailand-will-really-benefit/|accessdate=9 October 2017|work=The Isaan Record|date=8 September 2017}}