TAWAU: A gold mining company here has been ordered to cease operations at its water retention pond containing sodium cyanide chemical waste, effective Tuesday.
It was learnt that the directive was issued by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia during a joint inspection and investigation conducted by various government departments and agencies at the gold mine on Tuesday.
The inspection team included representatives from the Fire and Rescue Department, State Department of Environment, State Health Department and State Forestry Department.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});It follows an incident where the retention pond’s embankment collapsed and overflowed, causing contaminated water to flow into Sg Kalumpang.
It is understood that company operating at Bukit Mantri was also directed to construct a new water retention pond that meets established standards immediately.
According to sources, the ban will remain in effect until the company can provide proper new water retention facilities for mining activities.
The prohibition specifically applies to mining operations related to the water retention pond, while gold excavation work in the field remains permitted.
The Department of Environment is expected to collect water samples on Wednesday from areas around the gold mine and locations affected by the spillage, including Sungai Kalumpang.
In related developments, the Fire and Rescue Department, which takes the incident seriously, hopes the parties involved can resolve their issues.
Videos of the incident have gone viral raising concerns about potential risks to surrounding residents and the survival of flora and fauna in the affected areas.
