KUALA LUMPUR – The non-radioactive rare earth elements (NRREE) mining pilot project in Kenering, Perak, is closely monitored by federal and state agencies, unlike the illegal rare earth mineral mining activities in Bukit Enggang, Kedah.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat that the Kenering pilot project involves the cooperation of the Perak state government and the ministry.
“The SOPs for the Perak project are to ensure compliance as it is a legal project that has received the necessary approvals for mining activities.
“However, the mining activities carried out in Kedah, specifically Bukit Enggang, are illegal, as they have not received any necessary approval so enforcement action has been taken.
“The ministry has also established an illegal mining task force that involves the cooperation of various agencies in the federal and Kedah governments to establish regulation and enforcement against the issue of illegal mining,” he said in response to questions from Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng-PH).
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said his ministry has outlined a standard operating procedure (SOP) that covers pre-, during, and post-NRREE mining.
He added that the SOP was drafted following findings from the pilot project in Kenering, which emphasised the implications of mining activities for the environment and ecosystem.
“The mining activities, especially for ion adsorption clay to produce rare earth carbonate, cannot involve the production of radioactive minerals, which is different from rare earth minerals in other countries.
“The SOP also outlined the use of mining methods such as in-situ leaching, which does not involve opening large areas (to mine), which usually occurs in open-cast mining or other mineral mining activities.
“It (the SOP) also set regular and periodic monitoring periods, including the construction of monitoring wells to detect any pollution to underground water sources as well as the requirement to prepare an environmental impact study before any approval to carry out mining activities can be granted.”
He also said that the ministry will examine the requirements from existing laws, such as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 or the Mineral Development Act 1994, in addition to implementing self-regulatory auditing procedures for a responsible and sustainable mining industry. – November 22, 2023