KUALA LUMPUR: The mining of bauxite in Pahang and its export will be prohibited even after the expiry of the moratorium on these activities on March 31, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A Xavier Jayakumar said yesterday.
He said this is because the order to stop bauxite operations issued in January 2016 under the Mineral Development Act 1994 is still in force.
“The order to stop mining operations will only be withdrawn after all quarters are ready to adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Pahang State Bauxite Mining and Export Activities to ensure sustainable mining activities.
“My ministry has acted to refine the SOP which will impose strict conditions that encompass the whole chain of mining activities,” he told reporters at Parliament House.
Dr Xavier also said that a public hearing session will be held on April 14 with all stakeholders, including environmental-related organisations and the local people.
The ministry will also issue a notification on the public hearing session at the end of this month, he said.
“The public hearing session is organised to obtain views and feedback on the SOP that is to be enforced,” he said.
The public can view the new SOP on the www.kats.gov.my website on March 31, he added. — Bernama