ENGAGEMENT WITH BAUXITE STAKEHOLDERS

The process to improve SOP will be carried out before March 31, says ministry

THE Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry will hold a public hearing and engagement with stakeholders in bauxite mining to boost standard operating procedures (SOP).

This follows the move to allow the mining of aluminium ore in Pahang from April onwards.

A statement from the ministry said the SOP would involve all aspects of bauxite mining.

These include mining site management, transportation and enforcement, stockpile site management at the port and mining procedures.

To ensure the involvement of all stakeholders, the engagement process will be held before March 31.

“The public will be allowed access and may participate and scrutinise the SOP on a date to be set later.

“The ministry is committed to ensuring that grouses from the people, particularly those who are affected by bauxite mining, are heard.

“The ministry is working with the Department of Environment, the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry and the Pahang government,” it said.

On Monday, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said the moratorium on the mining and exporting of bauxite in Pahang, which will end on March 31, would not be extended.

The move has drawn criticism from many quarters, especially environmentalists, consumer rights groups and two Pahang assemblymen, whose constituencies are affected by the mining.