KUANTAN: The 'Skim Pelombong Kecil (SPK)' or small scale mining scheme was introduced by the Pahang government in 2022 to 'legalise' mineral mining operations on private land across the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the scheme currently has 56 participants in Kechau Tui, Lipis and has generated returns amounting RM2.5 million to the state government's coffers.
"In the past, villagers extracted minerals found within their own land (house compound) as they felt they had ownership over the natural resources. However, minerals under a piece of land belong to the state government.
"SPK was introduced to legalise mining activities on private land and stop leakages in state revenues. We are not stopping land owners from extracting minerals found underground but they have to apply with the state government and we will provide full cooperation.
"It helps create a win-win situation as the land owners and Pahang government reap good returns as the minerals are sold systematically in the market. In the past, several buyers will arrive to buy from the land owners, resulting in the mineral price to be unstable," he told reporters after opening the Malaysia Mineral Academy Pahang (AMMP) at a hotel here today.
Wan Rosdy said SPK was also introduced to help landowners who extract minerals without being exploited by the middlemen or buyers, and earn promising returns.
"Previously, the extracted minerals were sold at a low price and buyers purchased according to their interest. Now, the state government has fixed the price, which is in line with the market value," he said.
Wan Rosdy also said the Pahang government is aiming for zero illegal mining activities across Pahang and the scheme was a move to 'legalise' the activities.
"It could be challenging to completely wipe out illegal mining, but we are trying out best to ensure land owners can extract the mineral through a proper method.
"Action will be taken against landowners who carry out mining activities on their land without proper documentation ," he said.
Wan Rosdy said landowners who plan to extract minerals within their private land can go to the nearest district and land officer or Pahang Mining Corporation office with the necessary documents to submit an application.
"Officers will go to the respective site to inspect and if their application is genuine, then approval will be given with certain conditions," he said.
It is learnt that SPK applies to mining activities on land measuring 10 acres or 4.05ha, and below
SPK was mooted in 2021 after villagers in Kechau, Lipis earned lucrative returns after carrying out illegal gold mining activities within their housing settlements and some even deployed excavators for the operations.