IPOH: A preliminary study conducted by the Perak Minerals and Geoscience Department has identified three districts in the state with potential sources of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE).
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad revealed that the districts identified are Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang, and Kinta.
Saarani said that the total estimated reserve of NR-REE in these areas is approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes
"However, the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) reported that between 70 to 80 per cent of the areas identified as having potential NR-REE reserves are located within Forest Reserve areas," he said.
Saarani (BN-Kota Tampan) said this in response to an oral question raised by Steven Tiew Tee Siang (DAP-Tronoh) at the state assembly sitting in Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan today.
He further stated that the state government had been granted approval by the Federal Government to implement a Pilot Project for NR-REE activities within Forest Reserve areas.
"The success of this Pilot Project, carried out in a well-planned and systematic manner in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, has earned the trust of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry in allowing Perak to carry out NR-REE activities within forest reserves," he added.
Saarani also highlighted the importance of conducting more detailed and comprehensive exploration studies to accurately determine the amount of NR-REE reserves in the state.
"This step is crucial to ensure that future development and exploitation plans for these resources can be implemented in a sustainable and effective manner," he said.
Following this, Saarani announced that the state government had submitted a request to the Federal Government to reconsider the allocation of RM20 million for a study on mineral resource deposits in the state.
"This funding will enable the state government to better organise and reassess all applications for mineral tenements related to NR-REE extraction, ensuring a more structured approach that focuses on areas identified as having high NR-REE potential while safeguarding environmental sustainability," he said.
Saarani also disclosed that three cases of illegal NR-REE mining were recorded between 2019 and 2023, thanks to collaborative enforcement efforts by the Perak Forestry Department, the State Land and Mines Office and police.
"These illegal mining activities took place within the Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve, Kenderong Forest Reserve, and Ulu Piah Forest Reserve, all located in the Hulu Perak district," he said.
"A total of 31 individuals were arrested— 10 locals and 21 foreign nationals and charged under the Forestry Act and the Immigration Act," he said.
Currently, the NR-REE is being explored in Hulu Perak district. The success of the NR-REE pilot mining project in the Hulu Perak district, which generated RM29.73 million in royalties for the state government, proves the vast potential of this industry.
