Potash

The Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis resume their hearing with the Mining Commissioner today in the absence of monitoring data they requested through the Right to Information Act. The request was denied by the provincial government due to a contractual agreement between PotashCorp and the Department of Natural Resources.

Penobsquis Homeowners' news release: A group of Penobsquis homeowners are taking action against PotashCorp for damages resulting from their mining activities. Sixty water wells have been lost in the Penobsquis area affecting upwards of 200 people. The removal of the water from the mine is causing the ground to settle and shift even more than is expected from normal mine operations. This land movement is causing damage to homes and property. In addition to water loss and land movement, residents suffer from dust, noise and light pollution, lost property values, stress, and other issues.

By Peter McCaslin

Potash, a coarse, reddish mineral used to make chemical fertilizers, is giving rise to more than just high crop yields in the province of Udorn Thani. Plans by Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC) to build a “world-class” potash mine under private farmland has stirred up a storm of emotions over the past four years, and recent developments have only made things worse.

If concerns from local residents are not adequately addressed, Udorn Thani could be a ticking time bomb.