KUANTAN: Once bitten, twice shy. The saying best describes Kuantan Port’s preparedness not to make the mistake again when it comes to handling bauxite.
In 2015, the port was on the receiving end following the “red sea” phenomenon at a river and beach that was allegedly caused by bauxite ore.
Kuantan Port chief operating officer Mazlim Husin said they would take extra precautions, including implementing a strict standard operating procedure (SOP).
“The future of bauxite exportation through this (Kuantan) port depends on how we handle the minerals. If we repeat the same mistake again, bauxite might not be sent here. We will not allow it to happen again.
“We are extra cautious. When the port handled bauxite in the past, some clients had complained about dust entering their factories and contaminating their cargo. We have to be sensitive to their complaints,” he told the New Sunday Times.
Mazlim said the port was aware that things needed to go smoothly as all eyes would be on them.
“I told my team to handle it (bauxite) safely, neatly and fast without polluting the environment. Since we handle other consignments, we have to look at our long-term operation. If not, we may end up losing our revenue.
“The government’s announcement that bauxite ore must be washed before exporting is a good move. If this is adhered to, we should not have any problems. Kuantan Port has been handling iron ore exports for 10 years and we have had no problems.”
Mazlim said bauxite operators were making arrangements to export the 207,000 tonnes in stockpiles inside the port.
“Initially, there were 257,000 tonnes before two vessels were hired to export 50,000 tonnes of the ore.
“However, the move depends on bauxite owners. We do not know when they will hire additional vessels to clear the remaining stockpiles.
“The minister (Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar) had announced that bauxite stockpiles at the port must be cleared by March 31 (today) and operators will not be allowed to export after the deadline,” he said.
On the new conditions on bauxite handling at the port, Mazlim said the SOP was submitted to the Department of Environment, Kuantan Port Authority and Transport Ministry, and it had received their approval.
He said the new SOP included allowing only two berths at the port to handle bauxite for export, the introduction of a 700m conveyor system to transport bauxite directly to the ship from the stockpiles and the handling of a maximum of 600,000 tonnes of bauxite a month.
“Unlike in the past, vessels involved in exporting bauxite will dock at two multipurpose berths.
“One berth will use the conveyor system to ensure minimum spillage when ore is loaded onto the vessel, while the other will continue to use lorries.”