Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. said Dec. 14 that the government of Thailand ordered the shutdown of all operations at the Chatree gold mine from Jan. 1, 2017.

The ASX-listed company made arrangements earlier in December to transition the mine into care and maintenance by the end of the month, when the metallurgical processing licenses, concessions and permits will expire.

The operations will remain suspended until the country's National Mineral Management Policy Committee gives renewal approval.

Thailand ordered the closure of the Chatree mine in May, along with the country's entire gold mining and exploration industry, as a result of public uproar over environmental and health issues.

The mine is operated by Kingsgate subsidiary Akara Resources PCL, which is expected to meet the country's deputy prime minister shortly, the company said.