Sanusi suggests rare earths being mined illegally in Kedah

ALOR STAR – There is a possibility that many rare minerals, including rare earth elements (REE), are being mined illegally in Kedah under the pretext of extracting sand and other permissible metals, said Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

The menteri besar told The Vibes that he has been made aware that some contractors have extracted silica in addition to sand, as the former fetches a higher price in the construction materials market.

Other examples are gold deposits, and precious metals including silver and iron ore.

“The contractors get away with it because the project is approved under the status of extracting sand, but in reality, some are taking away silica. They fool the authorities in the process."

Given this, he said, it is imperative that state and federal authorities work together to streamline the guidelines on mineral extraction.

Responding to a statement by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah that the National Mineral Council has yet to discuss details on REE mining in Kedah and other places in the country, Sanusi said the council has yet to be formed.

“Essentially, the issue of land, minerals and other natural resources is the state’s to decide, but we will liaise with the federal government on this matter."

Kedah is unaware of any guidelines with regard to REE mining, he said.

He added that the value of the proposed REE project near Ulu Muda is RM4.3 trillion, and it has been approved in principle, in the best interest of the state and its people.

Sanusi said he is aware of criticism and concerns over the matter, but stressed that the state knows what it is doing, and of the need to protect the northern region’s biggest water catchment area.

Among those who have expressed concern is Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who asked Putrajaya to intervene in Kedah’s plan for large-scale REE exploration.

“We disagree, and urge for due consideration and intervention from the federal government, particularly the Environment and Water Ministry, the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, and the National Security Council, to ensure that these dangerous efforts are stopped immediately, to ensure the safety of the water supply for Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) states, namely Perlis, Kedah and Penang.”

He said the mooted exploration, to cover 163,000ha, will inevitably involve large-scale land clearing, destroying the rainforest in the area.

The mining will also adversely affect Sg Muda, which is a strategic source of raw water, he said.

He added that the Ulu Muda reserve is the largest and most important water catchment area in the NCER. – The Vibes, December 10, 2020