PUTRAJAYA: The government will not issue bauxite export licences to those who violated the moratorium which comes to an end on Dec 31, said Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
He said the ministry was informed of bauxite being mined despite the moratorium.
“As enforcement to curb illegal mining is under the state government’s jurisdiction, the ministry will work with the Pahang government in addressing the issue and will take firm action by not issuing export licences to any parties that do not comply with the moratorium,” Xavier said in a statement here today.
He said the Pahang government could take action in accordance with the Pahang State Mineral Enactment if any parties were found to have illegally mined bauxite on government land.
“If mining is conducted on private land, an additional penalty will be imposed,” he said.
On Sept 7, the government agreed to issue the licences within a reasonable timeframe to the companies involved in removing the bauxite stockpile in the port area first.
The decision was made after Xavier held a meeting with Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to discuss the direction of the mining industry and bauxite exports in the state.
Meanwhile, Xavier said a task force would be set up to provide a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on mining, transport, stockpile management and bauxite exports.
When the moratorium is withdrawn later, he said, all industry players, including miners who are granted the export licence, will need to sign a pledge to comply with conditions set to ensure Pahang’s bauxite mining industry was conducted in a sustainable manner.
“If any party is found to have violated any conditions set, the government will not hesitate to halt their operations immediately.”