KOTA BARU: The standard operating procedures (SOP) for non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) to ensure sustainable mining activities is expected to be completed either at the end of the month or early next month.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said once completed, the SOP would be applied to states which have RRE.
"The government does not want the REE found in several states to be mismanaged. We do not want certain quarters taking advantage of such findings to conduct mining activities that could affect the environment.
"Currently, mineral exploration is being carried out with a solid SOP and this includes mining activities. Therefore, I have directed my officers to complete their evaluation on the SOP as soon as possible," Takiyuddin told reporters after presenting laptops to four excellent students at his Parliamentary constituency service centre here today.
Elaborating on the issue, he said the new policy would help to preserve the environment, and monitor such activities better.
"The ministry's study shows that by adopting the SOP, we can decide the proper type of machines and suitable methods that can be used in such activities.
"This new policy will not only benefit the federal government but states as well," he added.
It is learnt the SOP would cover activities such as mineral mining and waste management, progressive mining site closure and manufacturing processes.
Last year, a Kuala Lumpur-based company received an approval permit to explore and extract rare earth elements (REE) in Kedah, and the project is estimated to be valued at RM62 billion.