(Update) The Haap Community in Haa did not allow the site engineer and the labourers to continue with their work yesterday. The move comes after the people of the community met, to completely stop the mining feasibility study near the Thromde.
The workers had come to the site, yesterday morning o continue survey work on the rocky hill known as Dra-Gong near Haa town, but the community did not allow them to work.
A meeting was held in the community, later in the afternoon, where it was decided that they would resubmit their petition to the Dzongkhag coming Monday.
Pema Jungney, who is a private consultant with RSA company carrying out the feasibility study, is trying to negotiate between the mining company and the community. But he said works will continue.
“Everything that is being done is allowed by Law. The people can complain to whoever they want. The company will decide whether to continue with works or not, I don’t want to make further comments on that”
The local community is worried that a mine could be opened after the study is completed, and life and vegetation will be destroyed in central Haa. They are, therefore, appealing to the Dzongkhag to put an end to the exploratory works on Dra-Gong hill as a pre-emptive measure.
