Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has ordered officials in the heavily polluted southern province of Attapeu to reject proposals for new mining projects, citing severe damage already caused to the local environment, sources said. "In particular, many applicants will submit proposals to you to allow them to excavate gold along the Xekaman river, but this has caused muddy and polluted water throughout the year," Thongloun said, according to a posting on the Attapeu province Facebook page.