Illegal rare earth mining operation foiled in Pahang

 

Pahang forestry officials have foiled an attempt to illegally mine rare earth elements (REE) at the Ulu Jelai forest reserve in Lipis.

The authorities said they believe the mining operation was masterminded by locals, by employing foreigners to do the on-site activities.

Harian Metro reported that the joint raid was conducted by the Lipis district forest office last Saturday, together with the Pahang State Forestry Department, and the police, at about 10am last Saturday. Drones were also used to pinpoint illegal mining locations.

According to the report, the raiding party had to travel seven kilometres by a four-wheel drive vehicle, through a logging road to get to the 0.28ha mining site, which had seven pits dug into the soil, believed to act as ponds to filter out the REE.

In addition, the site was also equipped with modern tools to facilitate the mining process.

"This is the second time we have come across a systematic activity to illegally mine for REE in the area, after a similar incident last August.

"It is learnt that mining for rare earth elements using ponds and chemicals is a popular method in China as it enables the elements to be obtained in huge amounts," the tabloid daily quoted Lipis district forest officer Mohd Aizat Arippin as saying.

According to him further, between 20 and 25 individuals, believed China nationals, worked in the area, but all of them fled after getting wind of the raid.

Among the items sealed off and seized included a canvas-covered hut, which functioned as a lab, two generators, electric cables which supplied power to the operation, as well as an excavator and other tools used to pump water and chemicals for the mining operation. The team also covered all the pits that had been dug out.

Aizat said that it is "fortunate" as the authorities managed to crack down against the illegal activity in the early stages, as the site was not fully operational yet.

Meanwhile, the paper also quoted state forestry director Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin as saying that the mastermind of the illegal mining operation could be local, who employed China nationals to conduct the on-site activities.

"The department has appointed a special team to probe the case, which is being investigated under the National Forestry Act 1984," he said.

Hizamri further urged the Orang Asli community to alert the authorities if they spotted any suspicious activities near their respective settlements. - Mkini