Some villagers have lobbied the Thai Government, saying the mine has caused elevated levels of arsenic and manganese in people and crops.
Even though there is no clear conclusion that the environmental and health impacts came from the Akara gold mine, [we made this decision] for the benefit of society and to solve conflict between people.
To reduce problems for staff and to prepare for the shutdown of operations, the metallurgical license will be renewed until end of 2016 so that the remaining minerals can be used.
The mine's operators have denied the allegations of heavy metal poisoning and said the announcement came as a "complete surprise
Time after time we have proven conclusively that we cause no harm to the health of our community or to its environment