(Updated) States rushing into REE mining and why some environmentalists are fearing it

Weeky Echo’s file photo of former Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar during a press briefing on the billion ringgit earnings potential for the country with the identification of mineral and REE sources nationwide. He had also called for an amendment in the Minerals Development Act 1994 towards policies and frameworks that were suitable for an upstream rare-earth industry.

Updated with correction in graf 6, should read: RM56 billion, and added info in grafs 8-12.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25: The government must give the public a chance to voice out their concerns over the mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE), particularly those from the surrounding areas where REE have been identified, and have become economic targets for some states, says The Green Party pro tem secretary Abdul Razak Ismail.

The environmental consequences of REE mining are still a cause for concern globally, where countries that have been mining have over the years clearly seen and are dealing with air and water pollution, disturbances to eco systems, vegetation, possible release of radio active waste and most importantly serious health effects on people living in the mined areas.

While there is no doubt about the economic benefits that will come with REE, which are used in many new areas of technologies, these must still be weighed against the possible outcomes including disasters that can arise from rushing into the business, he told Weekly Echo recently.

Another major concern is the location of several areas being prospected for mining, such as forest areas. “The country cannot go back on using areas reserved for the purpose of countering greenhouse gas emissions as this would be the first thing that will take place when forests are encroached for mining purpose,” Razak said.

Menteri Besar of Kedah Muhammad Sanusi Nor recently called for a loosening of a REE mining policy, stating that while state level approvals had been given for venturing into forest area for mining, the policy was a stumbling block that prevented licenses to be given for mining.

Some of the areas identified for REE mining in the state are in Yan, Kim and Baling, said to be at an estimated value of RM56 billion in worth.

States racing into REE mining will have to look at several experiences Malaysia has had with mining, President of PEKA, Sophine Tann meanwhile said.

The Bukit Merah, Perak incident is one, she said, where careless REE mining activity had brought about sickness to the people nearby. A full report on this is available at https://cilisos.my/30-years-ago-a-huge-radioactive-incident-happened-in-perak-heres-the-story-behind-it/.

“Peka is against mining of REE unless the government can develop a SOP that can assure and ensure the non-pollution and poisoning of the natural environment, the safety and well-being of the wildlife as well as safe-guarding all natural fresh water resources which contributed hugely to one of our basic survival needs as a living beings,”” she said.

Local scientist Dr. Teckwyn Lim said it would be crucial for the federal government to ensure that REE activities are not at the expense of forests and conservation areas.

“In this regard, the federal government should clarify how it intends to ensure that Malaysia keeps our 50 percent forest pledge.

“How is it that states like Selangor are allowed to only keep 30%?

“How come federal territories have less than 10% forest?”.

Meanwhile, two of the most clean and green areas in Negeri Sembilan – Kuala Pilah and Jelebu – have been identified and approved for non radioactive REE mining.

Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, recently announced that the state had approved two areas totalling 1,000 acres in the two towns for mining, according to a Berita Harian report.

The two areas are said to have a potential earnings of RM34 billion from REE mining.

Although the locations were not identified, the MB gave assurance that mining here would follow strictly both the state’s standard operating procedure (SOP) and the Federal government’s SOP. He also said geology experts would be engaged to ensure that the mining does not affect nearby grounds.

He also said state government would be visiting a company in China to look into methods of mining, but added that the state would be opened to working with any other company. He also disclosed that a company, which had mining REE illegally in Kuala Pilah had paid up a compound of RM500,000 last December.

The state is said to be sitting on an estimated RM30 billion worth of REE.

Other states identified for REE mining include Kelantan, Kedah, Johor, Perak, Pahang, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu and Melaka, all of with potential of billions in ringgit in earnings.

— WE