PARLIAMENT | No approvals have so far been granted for the mining of rare earth elements (REE) in Kedah or any other states, according to Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
On the other hand, he said the ministry is still at the stage of drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure rare earth mining activities will be done in a sustainable manner.
"This does not mean the government is ready to allow NREE (non-radioactive REE) mining at this moment.
"For example, the government will not allow any NREE mining activities in forest reserve areas without an initial evaluation and technical approvals.
"This is to prevent incidents of pollution that can affect the environment, water resources, health, and national interests," Shamsul said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He added that the SOP will comprise all activities in the value chain from mining, waste management, termination of mining activities, and processing, taking into account all existing laws that apply.
"We will not hesitate to take action against any party found mining without a permit," the Lenggong MP said in response to Fuziah Salleh (Harapan-Kuantan).
Fuziah had inquired whether the National Land Council had approved REE mining in Kedah and other states and if the REE contained elements of radioactive thorium.
This came after Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly said that a permit to mine and extract REE in the state had been issued to a local company based in Kuala Lumpur.
Last week, Sanusi announced that Kedah found an estimated RM62 billion worth of mineral deposits and a local company was granted permission to carry out initial works at an undisclosed area in the state. - Mkini
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