Bench II of Thimphu District court ordered three private mining companies to pay over Nu 745,000 as compensation to eight households of Gida Wom village under Maedwang Gewog in Thimphu. The district court passed its verdict on Gida Wom mining case yesterday.
The three mining companies are Taktshang Quarry, RSA Private Limited and River View Stone Quarry and Crushing. The fourth mining company, Nortak Mines is not liable to pay the compensation.
The compensations are to be paid for the damages caused by blasting from the quarry sites to the eight households. The compensation amount is based on the estimation drawn up by Ministry of Works and Human Settlement.
The verdict says companies must adhere to the terms of the agreements drawn with the community. Two agreements were drawn in 2011 and 2013 between the mining companies and the Gida Wom Community. The court however found that the mining companies have failed to fulfil their terms.
The court has also asked Taktshang and RSA Private Limited to construct drains and tanks to prevent waste water from flowing into the irrigation channels. The companies have two months time to black top the road from the bridge to the quarry and mine site according to the verdict
The court however dismissed the allegations of bribery and illegal public clearance.
Twenty nine villagers from Gida Wom and Jamdo villages took the four mining companies to the court over the adverse impacts of mining on their community, properties and health.
The court took over 20 months to pass its verdict. The parties have 10 working days to appeal to higher court from the day of verdict.
