THE Perak government will not hesitate to shut down a non-radioactive rare earth metals processing centre in the state if the project is found to threaten public health, the state assembly was told today.

Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad said he is confident the project in Hulu Perak is safe.

 ”(But) if the process of extracting the (metals) brings harm, for example, there is a radioactive source, then the state government will not hesitate to stop the project,” he added.

He said this in response to a question from Koo Haai Yen (Keranji-PH) about the government’s plan to manage the materials extracted by the project.

Saarani said the project, undertaken by MCRE Resources Sdn Bhd, had the approval of the government agencies.

“All the (requirements) have been complied with… we prioritise the health and lives of the Perak people more than the revenue that we can get (from the project),” he said in response to Razman Zakaria (Gunong Semanggol-PN).

Razman was asking about the arsenic waste from mining activities in Hulu Perak that was polluting Sungai Rui.

Saarani told the state assembly that the Perak government will process non-radioactive rare earth metals as a downstream activity to produce final products that were more valuable than raw products.

“This has already been conveyed to the federal government. Three strategic locations are available. these sites are on government land and land owned by state government-linked companies,” he added.

He said the three locations are in Muallim, Bandariang and the Silver Valley Technology Park.

Razamn said this in response to a question from Goh See Hua (Pasir Pinji-PH) about lanthanide mining in Gerik. – Bernama, May 24, 2023.