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Climate change

Thai Cement Manufacturers Association Advances Water Management Initiative

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) has launched a water conservation initiative, dubbed 'Water-Mining for Community', which aims to create shared value through sustainable water management. This collaborative effort, led by Dr Chana Poomee, chairman of TCMA, focuses on reusing disused mines as reservoirs and community ponds to alleviate flooding and drought, while also promoting environmental awareness and education. The initiative incorporates best practices in water efficiency, repurposing mines into water retention zones, and developing small reservoirs for agricultural and community use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TCMA has developed various initiatives in the SARABURI SANDBOX, incorporating best practices in water efficiency, including repurposing mines into water retention zones.
  • For example, the Huai Rae Mine in Saraburi Province has been transformed into a flood detention basin with a capacity of 6.6 million cubic meters, preventing flooding in over 1,000 rai of rice fields.
  • The Khao Wong Model and Kaeng Khoi Model in Saraburi are being developed into models of environmentally friendly mining zones, featuring newly planted forest areas that act as natural catchments and community learning centers.
  • Mines are being used as reservoirs, community ponds, and educational sites for environmental awareness, with initiatives like the Khao Thap Khwai for the Community Project in Lopburi Province, which converted a former mine into a community water source and reforested surrounding lands.
  • The Mae Than Model in Lampang Province, launched in 2019, addressed critical water shortages and now supplies up to 1,000 cubic meters of water daily to 250 families, supporting both domestic and agricultural use.
  • The Siriraj Model, initiated in 2024, is a pilot project aimed at long-term drought mitigation, providing year-round water supply for up to 800 households in Sasdon Kaew Sub-district and surrounding communities.
  • Disused mines hold great potential to be reborn as water sources, creating water security, supporting agriculture, and laying the foundation for future economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Statistics:

  • The Huai Rae Mine has a flood detention basin capacity of 6.6 million cubic meters.
  • The Khao Thap Khwai for the Community Project in Lopburi Province converted a former mine into a community water source and reforested 100 rai of surrounding lands.
  • The Mae Than Model in Lampang Province supplies up to 1,000 cubic meters of water daily to 250 families.
  • The Siriraj Model, initiated in 2024, provides year-round water supply for up to 800 households in Sasdon Kaew Sub-district and surrounding communities.
  • The Khao Wong Model and Kaeng Khoi Model in Saraburi have been developed into models of environmentally friendly mining zones, featuring newly planted forest areas that act as natural catchments.

Sources:

  • "The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association Advances Water Management Initiative", Thai Cement Manufacturers Association, [no date provided]
  • Dr Chana Poomee, Chairman of TCMA, interview, [no date provided]

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