[1] In 1991 the company's subsidiary, Tungkum Limited (TKL), was founded and granted a concession in the Wang Saphung District of Loei Province for the exploration and mining of gold and related minerals.
On 30 March 2016, the Loei Provincial Court dismissed a civil defamation lawsuit brought by six KRBKG members who live in communities near the open-pit copper-gold mine, for erecting signs in 2015 at the Na Nong Bong village entrance gate and along the main road in the village, calling for the closure of the controversial mine and rehabilitation of the local environment.
Tungkum sought 50 million baht in compensation from the six KRBKG members for alleged damage to the company’s reputation.
Tungkum has brought at least 19 criminal and civil lawsuits against 33 members of the KRBKG and other villagers in the past seven years, including the case dismissed yesterday.
Using lawsuits, the company has sought a total of 320 million baht from villagers who oppose the mine.