KUANTAN: Miners are prepared to stop their activities if the government imposes a ban on bauxite mining.
State Iron Ore Operators Association president Tengku Datuk Seri Zulkifli Tengku Ahmad said until such decision was made, “business will go on as usual”.
He said the association had also yet to receive any instruction from the federal or state government about the future of mining activities despite widespread rumours of a three-month suspension on bauxite operations.
“If the government imposes a ban, we will then adhere to the ruling.
“However, a ban will have an impact on the operators, especially those who have signed long-term deals to export bauxite,” he said yesterday.
Zulkifli said beginning on Dec 1, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry had frozen the issuance of permits to export bauxite.
At present, he said operators were working together to transport bauxite stockpiles to waiting vessels at Kuantan Port.
Bukit Goh Bauxite Coordinating Committee chairman Datuk Dr Abd Wahid Abd Manap said the federal and state governments should provide operators a grace period to clear their bauxite stockpiles before imposing a ban.
“They cannot do it (ban) overnight.
“Operators should be given between three and six months to complete their existing projects and clear their mining sites before the ban can take effect.”
He said the authorities should introduce a new standard operating procedure for mining activities and devise solutions to tackle pollution problems.
He said the presence of errant and illegal miners had tarnished the image of the industry and provoked anger among the people who were affected by air, land and water pollution.
“The state government has on several occasions reminded and introduced various measures but some operators ignore them.”
A source from the ministry said officers from several departments were occupied with meetings and exchanging information yesterday before an announcement on the future of bauxite mining is made today.
“The decision can either be a temporary or permanent ban on mining activities in Pahang.
“Any decision taken by the ministry would be based on views of all concerned parties,” said the source.
Another source linked to the mining activities said it would be unfair to the operators if the government imposed a total ban.
He said the ministry had stated before that it would review existing laws to have tighter controls and stiffer penalties on errant bauxite operators.
“The ministry also stated then that some improvements could be made to set a benchmark for other mining areas to follow.”
Efforts to get comments from state government officials including Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob yesterday were futile as they did not respond to calls and queries through short-messaging service.