Kota Kinabalu: Both Unity Government component PKR and opposition Parti Warisan are questioning the legality of the controversial gold mining operations in Tawau, as well as compliance to Environment Department regulations.
Parti Warisan Kalabakan Division Head Sarifuddin Hata urged the State Government to explain whether the mining in Bukit Mantri, Balung, had rapproval from the Malaysian Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG).
He said residents were also concerned about land stability, safety and environmental pollution. The mining operation also recently became a court matter.
“Did the company get permission from Pejabat Hasil Bumi or the State Secretary’s Office to continue mining activities in Bukit Mantri, despite the lack of approval from JMG?
“Until now, mining works are still taking place,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
He claimed a letter issued by the department to the Sabah Land and Survey Department, the Mining Management Scheme Approval Letter (SKSPM) expires on Aug 29, 2023 but the JMG has not received any new applications from the company.
He said the Committee on the Mining Operation Scheme Approval Letter which convened on Aug. 22 has recommended that all mining and processing activities on on CL. 105651439, Bukit Mantri, Balung, Tawau, operations be suspended until a new application is submitted.
A letter issued by JMG to the parent firm informed that the company’s SKSPM application was not considered for approval until resubmitted for consideration.
In addition to a new SKSPM application, they are also required to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval letter and permission documents to occupy an area other than the company’s property lot in that area.
Sarifuddin said, if the area really has a lot of gold and the State Government wants to develop it, the matter needs to be looked at from various angles and research should be done first for the benefit of Balung residents and Sabahans, in general.
“We must put the interests of the people first and take care of the environment. Make sure the mining method is safe, and avoid using cyanide,” he said.
He urged for decisive and immediate action to be taken to prevent illegal mineral mining from spreading which could result in major disasters and affect the safety of the people.
Meanwhile, the Environment Department and Minerals and Geoscience Department are urged to investigate the mine’s wastewater discharge system that is suspected to be operating without any environmental impact assessment approval.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Tawau Division Chairman Fung Thin Yien said both departments should investigate to put to rest the concerns of affected residents.
He received complaints the mine is not complying well with the regulations.
“If true, it could lead to severe pollution at the nearby ecosystem due to the wastewater discharged from the mining operations.
“This might also have a significant negative impact on the water sources used by the residents in the nearby district, including drinking water,” he said.
He said if the gold mine is indeed operating without adhering to the environmental assessment report certification required by the Environment Department and discharging wastewater arbitrarily, the situation is alarming.
“This will constitute serious and harmful wastewater discharge, causing great concern,” he said, adding Article 12E(3)a of the Environmental Protection Act 2002 states that anyone found violating the regulations could face a fine not exceeding RM 100,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both.
He emphasised that mining operators must strictly adhere to the operational procedures outlined by the Environment Department.
He said during the mining process, the release of toxic gases and dust directly affects wastewater system discharge and therefore operators must strictly follow the prescribed standard operating procedures.
Without the State Environment Department’s assessment certification and review, operations are considered non-compliant, he said, adding wastewater discharge could have unforeseen and far-reaching effects on the water sources used by the public at any time.
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