THE standard operating procedure for bauxite mining and export is being finalised, said Dr Xavier Jayakumar today.

The water, land and natural resources minister was responding to The Malaysian Insight’s report that Pahang operators are still in the dark about the SOP and have been losing money since a moratorium on bauxite mining and export was imposed last year.

The moratorium was lifted in April, but the ministry has not allowed operations to resume, pending the completion of the SOP.

“We wish to inform that the said documents are ready to be finalised. The ministry, together with the Pahang government, will review the documents and fix a date for the SOP to come into force,” said Xavier in a statement issued to The Malaysian Insight.

“The SOP documents will then be uploaded to the ministry’s website for the reference of all parties.”

He said the SOP was the subject of a public hearing on April 14 that was attended by 519 people, adding that 56 points of feedback were received.

The SOP takes into account the views of mining and export stakeholders, and covers the chain of production from pre-mining preparations to post-mining operators to ensure environmental sustainability, he said.

It will also ensure that bauxite mining and export remain viable as an economic activity, while ensuring the public’s safety, said the minister. – August 3, 2019.