Consider environment before mining rare earth, Kelantan govt told

 

The Malaysian Nature Society says the Kelantan state government must assure the public that it will protect wildlife habitats, avoid natural disasters and prevent river pollution. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Several NGOs have warned the Kelantan government not to overlook past environmental disasters as it weighs up a rare earth elements (REE) mining project in a bid to generate wealth for the state.

Malaysian Nature Society president Ahmad Ismail said the state government must explain its mining methods and assure the public that it will protect all wildlife habitats, avoid natural disasters and prevent river pollution.

“If it involves forest clearing, we should look at our past experiences which brought about floods, landslides, mudslides, damaged wildlife habitats and enabled poaching activities to take place.

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“Short term profit may lead to long term loss for the locals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Damien Thanam, president of the Malaysian Natural Resources Protection Association (Peka), warned that REE mining will disrupt the flora and fauna found in the state’s forests.

He said prey species migration routes and their feeding grounds will be affected.

REE mining will also disrupt wildlife growth and trigger conflicts between humans and wild animals, he added.

“We cannot deny the possibility that REE mining will be used as the excuse for logging activities, as has happened in palm oil plantations and when the Nenggiri Dam was constructed.

“Human-made disasters have already claimed lives, but this issue has not been given much prominence when it comes to development, mining, logging and quarries in the forests,” he said.

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Last week, Kelantan deputy menteri besar Amar Nik Abdullah said the state was keen to capitalise on significant reserves of REE found within its borders, estimated to be worth RM125 billion.

However, he said it was necessary to exploit the reserves properly so that the state derives maximum benefit from the project.

Last November, former energy and natural resources minister Takiyuddin Hassan reportedly said three districts have been identified with high REE potential. They are Tanah Merah, Gua Musang and Jeli.

Non-radioactive rare earth elements have been found in Aring, covering 100,000 hectares, in Stong Batu Melintang, covering an area of 80,000 hectares, and in Tanah Merah, covering an area of 25,000 hectares. - FMT