Mining Kenderong forest: Perak MB says licensees still need approval

Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad has attempted to play down a proposed tin mining project in what used to be the Kenderong Permanent Forest Reserve.

This comes after environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) objected to the project and urged the state government to regazette the 245-hectare area.

This is equivalent to the size of 343 football fields.

According to Harian Metro, Saarani confirmed that Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) had given a licence to a local mining company for the project.

MB Inc is the Perak government’s investment and business vehicle.

However, he said the mining company in question needed to obtain approvals before it could proceed with mining activities.

“It is not easy to do mining. Even if you get a licence, you still have to wait,” he was quoted as saying.

“Even if you get a licence, you still need to wait for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be approved by the Department of Environment.

“Furthermore, if I remember correctly, (the proposal) is still at the public hearing stage for the standard operating procedure for this non-renewable energy (NRE) by the relevant ministry. This NRE SOP will also need to be taken into account,” Saarani also said.

The Kenderong Forest Reserve is located in Kerunai, Gerik - about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Perak capital Ipoh.

Environmentally sensitive area

Yesterday, SAM president R Meenakshi said the permanent forest reserve had been degazetted for a tin mining and logging project.

She raised alarm that the environmental destruction may pollute water sources and jeopardise the livelihood of local communities.

Today, Saarani reportedly recognised that the forest in question was classified as an environmentally sensitive area (kawasan sensitif alam sekitar or KSAS).

Asked about a previous tin mining project there that led to skin cancer among Kampung Ayer Ganda Orang Asli, the Menteri Besar reportedly said this factor would be taken into account.

That same project had also led to the closure of the Ayer Ganda water treatment plant back in 2019 when arsenic was detected in nearby Sungai Lui.

“If this is true, we also don’t want the rakyat to be affected by the arsenic.

“In that case, the Department of Environment and the Perak Health Department will determine the validity of the allegation,” Saarani reportedly said.  - Mkini