‘Mining lease approval involves state and federal governments’

After being on the receiving end for allegedly approving fresh mining activities at Tasik Chini, near here, a Pahang government agency yesterday provided clarification to set the record straight.

The State Land and Mines Office, in a statement, said both the federal and state government agencies were involved in processing all the applications for new mining lease in Pahang.

It said before an approval was given, several processes and government agencies were involved in scrutinising the applications.

“The responsibilities at the state level (involving the state government) include receiving the application, referring it to eight technical agencies, including the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the District and Land Office, and the Land and Mines Office for feedback.

“It is followed by making recommendations to the state mineral resources committee (for review) and approval by the state authority.

“Once the approval is given, the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) will prepare the map and the final process is the mining lease registration.”

The statement said once the process at the state government level had been completed, the agencies at the federal government would take over.

“If the mining site is categorised as an ‘environmentally sensitive area’, the applicant will have to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Department of Environment.

“Once all the conditions have been met in accordance with the

EIA requirements, the applicant will have to request for the Operational Mining Scheme from the Minerals and Geoscience Department to start the mining activities.”

The state government’s jurisdiction, according to the Pahang State Mineral Enactment 2001, is only until the issuance of the mining lease registration, while the federal government has the power to approve the mining activities under the Mineral Development Act 1994,

Meanwhile, the state Land and Mines Office, in a statment, said the detailed statement was issued to inform about the roles played by the agencies at the state and federal government level (in approving mining activities) to prevent any confusion, which could lead to negative perceptions and the failure to portray the real situation.

“Mining lease applications will not be approved without the involvement of the state and federal governments.

“Numerous agencies are involved at various stages with regard to mining leases in Pahang.”