KOTA KINABALU: All environmental concerns raised by villagers over a silica mining project close to a scenic beach in the northern Kudat district have been recorded in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, says a minister.
Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe told the state assembly earlier this week that the EIA process involved a comprehensive environmental impact study for the areas involved in Sikuati, as well as the nearby residents.
He said the China-based Kibing Group’s investment in Sikuati consisted of the construction of a processing plant as well as silica sand extraction and the building of a private jetty in the area.
The silica sand extracted and processed in Sikuati, he said, will then be sent to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) for the purpose of manufacturing solar glass.
“All environmental issues raised by the public have been taken into account in this EIA study,” Phoong said, in his winding up speech on the motion of thanks on the state government policy speech delivered earlier by the Sabah governor.
“An EIA evaluation committee consisting of departments, agencies and NGOs has been established to evaluate the EIA study.
“All aspects of implementing this project, including the extraction and processing of silica sand, are monitored and regulated through the Development Plan and EIA report,” he added.
In August last year, residents from five villages in Sikuati held a small protest to voice their concerns that the silica sand mining and processing project will bring environmental harm to the idyllic Bangau beach as well as the surroundings near their villages.
The residents from Kampung Bangau, Andab Bangau, Andab Darat, Kimihang and Longgom Kecil had urged the Sabah government to intervene and put a stop to the project.
Towards this end, Phoong said his ministry together with staff members from state and federal government agencies had also held an engagement session with the local villagers last Sept 9 at the Kudat district office to provide further clarifications regarding the EIA report.
The session included mitigation measures on silica sand extraction activities as well as the rehabilitation of the extraction area, he added.
“I personally visited Sikuati on May 18 recently to hold a discussion with the local residents on this matter,” Phoong said.
