Pahang dept going all out to curb illegal mining activities
KUANTAN: Concerted efforts are being carried out to curb illegal gold and iron-ore mining in Pahang.
State Forestry Department director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin said continuous checks and operations at mining sites were being carried out, together with other agencies, namely, the state Land and Mines Office, Department of Environment, as well as the District and Land Office.
He said action would be taken against those mining natural resources without a licence.
“Encroachment of forest reserve and extraction of forest produce without licence are a violation of the National Forestry Act 1984. Upon conviction, the perpetrators could face a fine or jail term, or both.
“Other offences, such as carrying out mining without a lease, are under the purview of the Land and Mines Office,” he said yesterday.
He was commenting on joint operation in areas identified for mining licenses and lease, or Op Ibam 2 at Ibam Forest Reserve in Rompin last week, which saw the arrest of 11 local men aged between 24 and 57.
A total of 140 officers on 24 four-wheel-drive vehicles from eight agencies were deployed in the three-day operation which covered a 30,951ha area.
He said the operation would be conducted in Lipis, Jerantut and Raub, which were known for gold mining.
He said large-scale mining carried out by individuals and groups using modern equipment were identified in the districts.
He said apart from contributing to the state’s loss in taxable revenue, illegal mining adversely affect the environment as many trees would be felled to make way for roads for the operation.