IPOH: Yields from non-radioactive rare earth element (NR-REE) mining activities will remain the right of the state government, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said any mineral mining operations, except for oil and gas, were under the jurisdiction of the respective state governments.
He said this was enshrined under the Federal Constitution and assured that no Federal Government-linked companies (GLC) would be set up to control the mining of NR-REE.
“We only wish to develop a holistic industrial network that includes research and development,” he told a press conference after a visit to a scheduled waste processing plant in Simpang Pulai yesterday.
Nik Nazmi said the Federal Government would only be involved when it comes to exports.
“As the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has envisioned, we do not just want to mine and sell raw materials.
“We want it to be similar to the oil and gas industry, whereby we mine, process and get profits,” he added.
He said this when asked to comment on the remarks by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad that the state would ensure all its NR-REE products would belong to them and not be managed by any GLC at the federal level.
On his visit, Nik Nazmi said the plant, believed to be a source of air and odour pollution, had been given a three-month temporary licence to rectify the issues.
“Checks have been conducted at the premises in May this year and actions have been taken under the Environmental Quality Act then to suspend their operations.
“We found that three scrubbers in their chimneys were not well maintained, causing gases and odour to be released.
“The suspension notice was rescinded in July after the auditing committee was satisfied with their checks.
“A temporary licence was then issued to the premises to conduct odour stack sampling, air pollution controlling system and an environment audit.
“Following this, the temporary licence notice was cancelled,” he added.
“Those found guilty can face a mandatory five-year jail term and a fine of up to RM10mil,” he said.
The public can assist the authorities by reporting any pollution incidents to the department through its 24-hour toll-free line 1-800-88-2727 or email to aduan_k@doe.gov.my or via its online complaint system at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my.
