KEDAH, the state known as the nation’s rice bowl, has embarked on a venture to extract its valuable rare earth element (REE) deposits.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor recently announced the state had appointed a company to conduct mineral exploration.

He originally estimated the state’s deposits to be worth RM43 trillion but quickly revised it to RM62 billion.

The announcement has worried environmental activists, who fear the effects of are earth mining on the land.

Sanusi has not specified which type of mineral is sought, nor has he revealed much about the exploration plan. The company doing the work remains unknown.

Here’s what we know so far.

What are rare earth elements?

They are a set of soft, heavy metals with high electrical conductivity.

They are usually found in ore deposits such as copper, lead, platinum and gold, contained in the earth’s crust.

There are 17 types of REEs. They are candium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium.

Rare earths are widely used for the manufacture of electronic gadgets.

Have REEs been found in Kedah?

REEs have not been found or extracted. Sanusi had said the government has only approved a permit for a company based in the Klang Valley to conduct exploration.

He said the metals were mainly found in Baling, Kedah and in Lenggong, Perak.

Sanusi said the exploration process would not cause deforestation.

“There are many locations that have been told to me. I rely on the relevant departments to show me where the materials are.

“We are issuing an exploration permit, not digging. We are looking to see if there are minerals as reported.

“No one can see what’s underground. So we give them a permit to search,” he said.

Sanusi assured environmentalists that no forests would be cleared in the process.

“There is a new technology called extraction. It is not like when we mine tin, gold or bauxite. It is not the same and we have other methods, using new technology.”

Objections

Following Sanusi’s announcement, various groups have voiced concerns over mining activities and their impact on health and the environment.

CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader demanded the Kedah menteri besar explain the type of rare earth elements found in the state.

Mohideen said any mining activity was high risk.

“Rare earth mining and processing are the most environmentally harmful processes compared to other types of mining.

“They have serious environmental effects if not managed properly. Radioactive levels of thorium and uranium in the ore of rare earth elements are potentially dangerous and unmanageable. The result can be harmful to health and the environment,” he said.

Mohideen said exposure to thorium and uranium could cause lung and pancreatic cancer.

Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka) said the proposed extraction area was too large and involved forest reserves.

Its president Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said extraction was planned in over 20,000ha of land in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik; Mount Bongsu Forest Reserve in Kulim (25,000ha); Sintok Forest Reserve in Padang Terap (10,000ha); and agricultural land of 40,000ha.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman urged the Kedah government to make public the agreement it had inked with the company doing the exploration work.

“The people of Kedah have the right to know what the company will do, the location of the exploration work, and the measures taken to protect the environment,” she said.

Penang Water Supply Corporation chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa urged the state to stop large-scale mineral exploration efforts in Ulu Muda, Sik and Baling because they were part of the largest and most important water catchment areas in the Northern Corridor Economic Region.

“It should be known that about 70% of Perlis raw water and 96% of Kedah raw water come from Ulu Muda, and that more than 80% of the raw water extracted by PBAPP from Sungai Muda and Sauk Lahar Tiang in Penang also come from Ulu Muda,” he said.

What does Putrajaya say?

The National Land Council (MNN) has yet to study REE exploration and extraction in Kedah.

“Although permits for mineral exploration is in the power of the state government to issue, enforcement of regulations will require cooperation between agencies at the federal and state levels, who have to ensure that all conditions are met before approval is given.

“The MNN will evaluate the standard operating procedure (SOP) for rare non-radioactive earth mining and discuss it with the state government and relevant ministries.

“The first MNN meeting is expected to be held at the end of the month,” said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah in the Dewan Rakyat.

No need to teach Kedah what to do

Sanusi responded to PBAPP’s comments with a demand for overdue payment for raw water.

He said the Kedah government had sent a letter asking for money in 2010 but had yet to receive a reply.

“Please make the raw water payment. Parties do not need to teach Kedah what it should and should not do. We understand, we know the responsibility of the government to protect the water.

“Any logging or mining activity in Ulu Muda will take into account the people and the state of Kedah.

“PBAPP does not have to worry; there is no mine yet in Kedah, what’s the worry?” – December 12, 2020.