EGAT , MAE MOH MINE for All : Participation for Sustainability

The Mae Moh Mine of the electricity generating authority of Thailand (EGAT) is the biggest open-cut lignite mine in Southeast Asia. On its mission to produce 14 million tons of coal for Mae Moh power plants, mining activities are strictly obliged by preventive standards and environmental impact mitigation measures attached to the EIA report.
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To sustainably synchronize with the communities’ way of life, EGAT Mae Moh not only has been promoting career support groups, organizing community flea markets, and boosting organic farming projects but also employing local labors and supporting the use of Leonardite for Humus soil improvement for community enterprises. Supported by the community development fund, the organic fertilizer from household waste project in utilizing earthworms helps reduce the use of chemicals and increases the communities’ income. In addition, for each EGAT’s department, there are volunteers for a village. Those volunteers will participate in cultural activities and local traditions and assist in infrastructure development. Relationship and alliance are built as “EGAT and communities, we are one neighbor.”
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In addition, EGAT Mae Moh gives priority to education in the form of a project cooperation at Mae Moh Mine with 4 mining academic institutions namely the Faculty of Engineering of Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkhla University and Rajamangala University of Lanna - the annual mining camp. There is also the young tourist guides project that encourages local youths to be proud of participating in publicizing their local tourist attractions.
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In terms of health promotion, EGAT Mae Moh has issued a mobile medical unit to perform checkups for communities surrounding EGAT Mae Moh area. A public health surveillance fund was set up for them as well.
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To promote, conserve and restore the fertileness of upstream watershed and environment in the community area, EGAT Mae Moh, governmental agencies and community networks has established a community forest in Mae Moh district. There are 20 community forests which amounts to approximately 30,000 rai as a result. There has been a check dam project in honor of His Majesty the King since 2010 in which 2,250 check dams have been built.
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In terms of mine rehabilitation, the reclamation fund was set up by deducing money from produced coal sold to be used for rehabilitation cost throughout the mining lifetime. According to the mine rehabilitation master plan, 93% is reforestation, 3% is water storage, and 4% is recreational area. Currently, more than 10,000 rai of forests have been planted. As for recreational facilities, the Lignite Mine Study Center Museum, botanical garden, pavilion, golf course, and the King’s 84th Birthday anniversary center have been implemented. Moreover, the annual Mae Moh Tourism Festival is one of the most beautiful events in Lampang.
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As intended to operate outstandingly, Mae Moh Mine has received several awards such as EIA Monitoring Awards, Green Mining Award and CSR-DPIM Continuous Award. Thailand Coal Award and Asean Energy Award etc. These awards verify the dedication of the mine for its effective environmental management and illustrate sustainable living with the community.