July 7, 2026
PHNOM PENH – Mondulkiri authorities are investigating the deaths of six cattle found near an illegal gold mining site in Pu Tong village, Chong Phlas commune, Keo Seima district, amid speculation they may have been poisoned by chemical contamination.
Ministry of Environment spokesperson Khvay Atitya confirmed that the ministry had received reports of the incident and that an inter-agency team is looking into it. This includes collecting water samples from the site for laboratory analysis. The samples were expected to arrive in Phnom Penh for testing today, July 6.
A provincial taskforce led by Chhit Sophal, deputy-director of the Mondulkiri provincial administration, inspected the site on July 4.
According to the administration, officials from the provincial departments of environment, health, mines, agriculture and animal health, together with local authorities, are involved in the case.
The team concluded that the six cattle had likely died four to five days before they were discovered.
“Our preliminary assessment suggests the cattle may have died after drinking water contaminated with chemicals that leaked from an ore-processing pond at this illegal mining site,” the administration reported.
Authorities have buried the carcasses and are rehabilitating the affected area while laboratory testing is carried out to establish the precise cause of death.
The joint taskforce has also urged local residents to exercise caution by keeping livestock away from the suspected contaminated area and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
Officials noted that efforts to crack down on illegal mining operations in the area will continue as part of ongoing enforcement against illegal mineral resource exploitation.