KUALA LUMPUR: The government has formed a committee to tackle issues connected to the mineral industry, including coming up with a national framework for its development.
Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, in unveiling the Mineral Industry Development Coordination Committee, said it would play a pivotal role in streamlining decision-making processes, fostering cooperation between federal and state governments, and addressing key challenges within the nation's mineral sector.
"The central focus of the committee's work will be the exploration of a national framework for mineral industry development, with a special emphasis on rare earth element (REE) extraction," he said in a statement.
The committee held its inaugural meeting and assembled state leaders and industry experts with a mission to fast-track sustainable growth in Malaysia's mineral industry, said Nik Nazmi.
The meeting was attended by the menteris besar of Perak, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Perlis, as well as the Sabah deputy chief minister and Sarawak deputy premier and several executive council members of state governments.
Also present were experts in the fields of mining, environmental conservation and manufacturing.
Nik Nazmi said the move to form the committee aligns with Malaysia's recent authorisation for state governments to conduct early-stage REE exploration, guided by standard operating procedures for non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) and existing mineral policies.
"The government plans to institute a policy prohibiting the export of raw rare earth materials, aiming to prevent exploitation and resource loss," he added.
He also said the National Mineral Policy Framework 3 is also set to be formulated under this initiative.
"The policy framework will reinforce the legal and regulatory framework of the industry, strengthen the entire industry value chain, integrate cutting-edge technologies, empower local human resources, and emphasise environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles."
Nik Nazmi expressed his hope that the formation of the committee will result in responsible and sustainable mining and extraction activities in Malaysia.
The committee's establishment underscores the government's commitment to preserving the environment and promoting the well-being of its citizens, he said.