Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: Before mining application could be accepted and granted permission, several requirements need to be done and completed. These requirements include verification of land status, evaluation of environmental consideration, approval from local administration organization and downing performance guarantee.

     Meeting information requirements: It is required that mining companies will have to submit the Environmental Impact Assessment Report to the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment before being granted a license to do mining in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Background in summary:

     Requirement procedures: Regarding present regulations related to mining in Thailand,. the proponents (or mining companies) that wish to request for permission to mine in Thailand, would need to go through the following procedural requirments under the guideline and advice of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

     1. Screening on Land Classification: Before prospecting and mining applications could be accepted and registered, the proposed areas need to be checked to avoid prohibited land, such as national park, wildlife sanctuary, forest research area, etc. If it is not located in those prohibited areas, the mining application will be considered to pursue for mining rights.

     2. Environmental Impact Assessment: The proponent for mining license must submit the report of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by registered private firm or authorized agency to the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) for revision and approval.

     3. Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO) Approval Process: According to the Minerals Act, 1967, Local Mineral Resources Offices have to post mining applications in public areas for land right review for at least 20 days. If there is no objection, further steps to apply for mining license will be proceeded.

     4. Liability Insurance: In order to guarantee good environmental performance of miners, all mining applicants to deposit 300,000 - 10,000,000 baht depending on proposed mining methods before the licenses could be released. If mining activities cause environmental problems or miners neglect to reclaim abandoned mine land; DMR authorizes to use the liability insurance to clarify and improve the situation.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	3	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
2	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	-	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	-	Ability to attract political interest/support
3	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      Policies and measures: The significant reduction of liability insurance from 300,000 - 10,000,000 baht to 200,000 baht flat rate, after the economic down turn, reflects how the country prioritizes between economic and environmental development. Since the mining industry is the main income generator for Thailand, the country cannot afford to risk the contraction of the industry during times when the country needs to generate income to recover its economy the most. However, we can see this situation as a compromise and hopefully the deposits will be increased again, once the economic situation stabilizes. Sustainability of the project:   Adaptability of the project to other situations:   Process of decision making and implementation:      Meeting information requirments: Careless planning of mining activities have resulted in irreversable environmental damage in many countries, such as countires in the Pacific islands.       Fortunately, the Government of Thailand is taking careful measures by requiring mining companies to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment Report for review and consideration by the government before being granted permission to mine. However, there are concerns over the transparency of the report as companies responsible for producing the report are being hired by the mining companies. There is fear of possibility that information in the report may be manipulated or biased to support the owner of the mining project. Also, the government has very minimal staff to review the EIA report, hence, the thoroughness of the review is being questioned.       One possible solution to help ease the responsibility of central government in reviewing EIA reports is to decentralize the task to local governments. But there are again concerns of how transparent the EIA report review is at the local level. Cost efficiency: