Visitors walking past the TT5 thin dredge in Tanjung Tualang which has been refurbished and turned into a tourism destination by MB Inc.
State aims to be leader in country’s mineral industry
SULTAN Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah recognises the need for new revenue sources, thus calling for non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) to be mined sustainably and responsibly.
The Perak Sultan had, in his royal address during the opening of the state legislative sitting in 2021, said NR-REE was a new mineral resource that is important now and the future.
Hence, Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak (MB Inc) has taken steps to explore cooperations with scientists and experts to conduct research on the newly discovered minerals.
The NR-REE pilot mining project in Kenering, Hulu Perak, took off in October 2022, with the first batch of rare earth carbonate (REC) exported to China in February last year.
MB Inc chief executive officer Anuar Zainal Abidin said they were actively driving the growth of the REE mineral industry, which has potential to generate high value income for the state.
And until May this year, the state had successfully exported 8,157 metric tonnes of REC to China, with about RM30.9mil in royalties generated.
Anuar said aside from REE, MB Inc. was also committed to driving the state’s economy through the management of other mineral-related projects, including tin, kaolin and silica.
Sultan Nazrin visiting the TT5 tin dredge.
“The projects are not only successful in creating job opportunities for locals, but have also enhanced the socio-economic level in the respective areas.”
Anuar said Perak aimed to be the leader of the country’s mineral industry.
He said to realise this, Terra Mineral Lab Sdn Bhd (TML) and Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Mineral Research were established in Gopeng.
“TML aims to be the country’s main laboratory by 2030 for mineral analytical services.
“The facility is operated by 15 local experts consisting of chemical engineers, nuclear scientists, senior chemists, chemists and assistant chemists,” he added.
Anuar said MB Inc also played an important role in the conservation and preservation of a state heritage icon – the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 (TT5).
He said TT5 had been successfully developed into an iconic tourist destination, highlighting Perak’s heritage.
He added that through a strategic collaboration with a private company, a world-class park inspired by the beauty of nature, ESCAPE Ipoh was launched at TT5 in February.
“This development reflects the ongoing commitment of MB Inc in diversifying its assets in the state for tourism, especially around the TT5 area,” he said.
Anuar said MB Inc had also conducted several corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
“As a state government-linked company, we’ve implemented several CSR programmes, which includes social, environmental and educational aspects like the Corporate Leadership Apprentice Scheme (CLAS) scholarship, Eco-Schools Malaysia, and Tuisyen Cikgu Saarani.”
He added, “MB Inc is mandated by the state government as the main leader of mineral development in Perak, and is committed to making the state a pioneer of the country’s mineral industry that is progressive and sustainable.
“Through various efforts and strategic initiatives, including leading development of REE minerals, the establishment of TML and CoE, as well as the rehabilitation of the former tin mining site in TT5, MB Inc. ensures that Perak continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the industry national minerals.”
