Environmental groups call for halt of Perak’s lanthanide mining

 

Following confirmation that lanthanide mining in the Kenderong Forest Reserve in Hulu Perak has received the green light, non-governmental organisation Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has reiterated its call for the project to be halted.

In a statement today, its president Meenakshi Raman (above) called on the Perak state government to not proceed with the mining activity, on the grounds that it could potentially earn the state a reputation for housing toxic facilities.

She said this in reference to a radioactive permanent waste facility in Kledang Range, Ipoh, which allegedly contains high levels of thorium and uranium from the Asian Rare-Earth (ARE) plant that previously operated in Bukit Merah.

“These wastes will remain radioactive for billions of years and pose high risks already to the people of Perak.

“It is most shocking that the Perak state government and the Department of Environment (DOE) have not learned the tragic lessons of the ARE plant that resulted in serious radioactive poisoning in the Bukit Merah community, with high incidences of death among children who suffered from leukaemia and cancer, children with elevated levels of lead in their blood and above normal rates of miscarriages among pregnant women,” she said.

She added that adding the word “sustainable” to the rare-earth mining project does not make it safe, especially when it involves thorium and uranium wastes.

It is learnt that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project was approved on May 11 despite the DOE’s portal stating that the project’s EIA report is "not approved".

Potential revenue

Yesterday, Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad announced that the DOE had approved the EIA for the rare earth mining last week, making it a potential new revenue stream for the state.

This was confirmed today by DOE director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar, who said the “not approved” was possibly due to a technical error.

Saarani said the "pilot project" will be on State Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC) land and the appointed company will be tasked to check if there is harmful radioactivity caused by the mining.

According to the EIA, the mining will be conducted through in-situ leaching - by constructing seven hydrometallurgical plants as well as establishing injection holes and piping systems.

The project covers 11 land parcels of 2,161ha owned by Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak (MB Inc Perak), Majlis Daerah Gerik, Felcra Bhd, and SADC. This is equivalent to about 3,026 football fields.

Meenakshi said that the proposed land had been classified an Environmentally Sensitive Area Ran 1, which would only allow for nature low impact nature tourism, research and education purposes.

“Radioactivity aside, how can such a mining project be allowed in a highly environmentally sensitive area which is in the Central Forest Spine (CFS) range?

“Approving such mining activity in an ESA Rank 1 ecosystem is most outrageous, and in violation of the federal government’s own planning policy, and can in no way be viewed as a sustainable activity,” she said.

Meanwhile, the joint group Biodiversity Environment Agroecology Climat Change Habitats questioned the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (PPPNP) in wanting to clear the forest for the proposed project.

“We question why the corporation is involved in mining activities as their company vision is to be a superior and respected leading agency of agricultural development, and their mission is to develop the state’s agricultural sector and contribute to the wellbeing of the people and the state of Perak.

“Do they have the required expertise to carry out mining activities? Why is the PPPNP not following cabinet recommendations and channelling their energy into advising individuals and companies towards addressing food security and shortage issues?” the group’s lead coordinator Leela Panikkar questioned.

Additionally, Leela said members of the public, research institutions and civil society organisations should have access to the EIA report, its findings and recommendations.

Besides the rejected lanthanide mining proposal, there is also a proposal for tin mining in the same area.

The EIA for the tin mining project is still under review. - Mkini