Just another normal day: Miners continuing to work at the bauxite stock-pile site in Kuantan Port.
KUANTAN: Bauxite mining is still allowed in Pahang for now, said state Public Amenities and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak.
“We have not received any directive to stop the mining. It is still allowed,” he said yesterday.
He said decisions about mining activities were made jointly by the federal and state governments.
In another statement, Bernama quoted Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob as saying that the state and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry would issue a joint statement on the matter.
Bauxite mining here has been in the news following concerns about health effects of bauxite dust, besides concerns that the massive areas being cleared for mining could lead to mudslides and landslides.
Last week, the sea off Pantai Batu Hitam and Sungai Balok turned red, believed to have happened after a downpour carried bauxite from the mines to the rivers and into the sea.
Mohd Soffi said it was unfair to point fingers only to the bauxite miners for causing the water to turn red in Sungai Balok.
“The result of the water contamination in Sungai Balok is expected to be known in two weeks time,” he said, adding that no one should jump to conclusions.
“There are other developments including housing projects, industrial areas in Gebeng and bauxite mining activities along the river.
“The water which flows to the river could be from other type of activities.
“It does not necessarily mean the contaminated water was from bauxite mining activities,” he said.
Mohd Soffi said the volume of water from the rain on Dec 28, which reached 147mm, might have led to bauxite particles flowing to the river but he noted that elements form other activities could have contributed to the contamination of the river.
“However, there are also a few other miners operating in Balok area. They are believed to have not followed the regulations. This matter is still being investigated,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Terengganu government wants bauxite transporting lorries be banned from using the East Coast Highway 2.
Its Infrastructure and Public Amenities Committee chairman Rosli Othman said such lorries were not complying with the limit on tonnage and speeding above the limit, thus endangering other motorists.
Apparently, the lorries are now using the Kijal toll plaza as a shortcut to the Kemaman port.
Rosli also said that enforcement should be stepped up at night as many of these lorries transport bauxite at night.
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