Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor yesterday said rare earth elements worth up to RM62 billion were found in Sik, Ulu Muda and Baling, adding that the state had reached a mining agreement with a Kuala Lumpur-based joint venture company.
Around 4.2 million people in Perlis, Kedah and Penang rely on the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve as a water catchment area, with the area also coming under threat of logging.
In a statement today, Shamsul stressed that although state governments have the authority to issue mineral exploration permits, proper screening processes need to be carried out to ensure that all relevant conditions are met before any mining approvals are given.
Shamsul added the ministry is in the midst of producing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for rare earth element mining in the country and will hold consultation sessions with state governments, federal agencies, NGOs, industry representatives and other stakeholders before finalising the guidelines.
“Compliance with these SOPs is a key condition before starting any mining under the Minerals and Geoscience Department’s Operational Mining Scheme.
“Apart from the enforcement that will be carried out by the state’s minerals and geoscience department, the state’s forestry department also plays a role in ensuring that no rare earth element mining is carried out without technical approval, and no mining activities are carried out in forest reserves.
“This can also prevent incidents of pollution that can affect the environment and public health,” he said.
Shamsul added the consultations will also help address issues about environmental sustainability, occupational safety and health, as well as concerns from communities around the mining area.
According to the minister, the country has an estimated RM4.11 trillion worth of mineral resources, with rare earth elements making up around RM741 billion of the amount.
Shamsul said these resources are mostly found in Kedah, Perak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor and several other states, adding that detailed studies will be conducted in the 12th Malaysia Plan for more accurate mapping of rare earth element quantities.
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