NGO Calls for Stronger Action to Prevent Illegal Rare Earth Mining in Kuala Pilah
GEORGE TOWN: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), an environmental NGO, has urged authorities across all states to develop a more robust plan to prevent the recurrence of illegal rare earth mining activities.
The call from the non-governmental organization follows recent reports by the Negri Sembilan and Melaka authorities, revealing illegal mining operations in Kuala Pilah.
Meenakshi Raman, President of SAM, emphasized the need to take action against individuals or groups involved in or collaborating with these illegal mining activities in Kuala Pilah. She emphasized the importance of setting examples to deter future occurrences.
“While we can certainly impose heavy penalties for illegal operations that pollute the environment and pose risks to public health, once a crime has been committed, the damage is already done. We must ensure that such incidents do not happen again under any circumstances, anywhere in the country,” she stated today.
SAM also called on the federal government to review its policy on rare earth mining, highlighting the significant risks and dangers it poses to the environment and human health, which outweigh any short-term economic benefits.
Meenakshi reiterated SAM’s longstanding opposition to rare earth mining, regardless of the mining methods employed, due to its devastating impact on the environment and human health.
She explained that there are two methods commonly used to mine rare earth minerals: conventional open-cast mining and in-situ leaching.
Both methods, she pointed out, have severe environmental and health consequences. In-situ leaching uses a liquid chemical, ammonium sulphate, to dissolve seepage and extract rare earths from the ground through holes that have already been dug and drilled to catch basins.
It will cause soil acidification, release lead, cadmium, chromium and other heavy metals into the ecosystem and pollute groundwater, especially the ammonium sulfate used in in-situ leaching will produce sulfate pollution. After mining is stopped, rivers and reservoirs will increase microbial hydrogen production Sulfur compounds, highly toxic to aquatic life and plants
“The authorities have indicated that the illegal miners in Kuala Pilah used the in-situ leaching method, which involves drilling holes and directing liquid chemicals, including ammonium sulphate, into the ground to extract rare earth elements. This method does not require large areas and relies on catchment ponds.”
Meenakshi referred to findings by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which revealed that the production of one tonne of rare earth elements generates 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste, including 75 cubic meters of wastewater and one tonne of radioactive waste.
She also highlighted that groundwater contamination resulting from both mining methods can be challenging to control and mitigate.
“Given the pressing issues of climate change and the effects of El Nino-induced heatwaves, which are already exerting immense pressure on our water resources, groundwater contamination is a matter that demands serious attention from everyone.”
