Waste management related to REE mining must be ironed out before venturing into industry, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR: Waste management procedures related to rare earth element mining must be ironed out before Malaysia ventures into the industry, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said proper and detailed research must first be carried out.

Johari said mining activities, if not managed properly, can see the excess produce causing disaster.

“If we really want to embark into the rare earth industry, we must be very clear on how the waste is handled,” he said during question time on Monday (Aug 18).

Citing the example of copper mining activities in Ranau, Sabah from 1975 to 1999, he said the outcome resulted in the water there being unsafe even for fish.

He also noted another incident in Bukit Merah, Perak in 1982 to 1994.

“Mining activities were carried out there but eventually the mine was closed as there was no adherence to waste management standard operating procedures,” he said.

Johari was responding to a question by Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) who asked about the matter.

Alias also asked about the status of studies being carried out on rare earth element mining in permanent forest reserves.

To this, Johari said the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) will carry out an impact study on mining activities in the said area.

He said the study aims to create the scientific and technical basis for policies related to the prohibition of mining activities in permanent forest reserves, environmentally sensitive areas and protected reserves.

“The study is being carried out in phases over a five-year period,” he said.

Explaining, he said the first phase will involve pre-mining (2024 to 2025), during mining (2026 to 2027) and post mining (2028 to 2029).

“Components of the study will comprise aspects of hydrology, land, flora, fauna, carbon stock and the socio-economy,” he said.