They have also urged the government to review a minerals bill that is undergoing scrutiny. State agencies had already received petitions against plans to expand gold-mining areas, and were reviewing them, Gen Prayut said. The petitions concerned both old and new gold mines that were facing legal disputes, including rows over whether their permits should be renewed, and an assessment of their impacts, he said. During this process, no new gold-mining permits would be issued, he said. This stance would continue until all problems are dealt with and if the problems could not be solved, the mines would then remain closed, he said. Gold mining is regulated under the Industry Act, he said.