Saarani says the pioneer project in Kenering demonstrates the feasibility of mining rare earth elements. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
FIFTEEN employees have been hired at the first non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) laboratory set up in Gopeng, Perak.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said two employees were senior chemists, while 13 others were assistant chemists and support staff.
“We expect the number of employees to increase. The Terra Mineral Lab is expected to start operations in September,” he said when replying to a question by M. Thulsi (PH-Buntong) at the Perak State Assembly in Ipoh.
Thulsi had asked about job opportunities that would be available with NR-REE mining.
In October last year, Saarani had said that Perak was set to build the first NR-REE laboratory since the state was a pioneer in NR-REE mining.
He said the state government would focus on upstream, midstream and downstream stages including mining and extraction, processing and separation as well as producing the final products.
“The state government is also exploring cooperation with countries possessing NR-REE separation technology and that are keen to invest in midstream and downstream industries.”
He said the state government would also increase investments in research and development, including cooperation with higher education institutions and research centres to study the use of new technologies in rare earth extraction and processing.
“The NR-REE mining pioneer project in Kenering has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of mining rare earth elements without any negative implications,” said Saarani.
