By Aida Aziz
Photo illustration
IPOH: Perak will establish a mineral analysis laboratory that provides expertise in analyzing and determining the content of mineral elements, including rare earth lanthanides.
The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, stated that the analysis laboratory will be developed through the collaboration of three state agencies, Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc), Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation (Perak SADC), and Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk).
He further mentioned that the establishment of this laboratory will make the state a comprehensive and holistic hub for the mineral industry and serve as a reference for other states in Malaysia and other countries.
“The construction of this laboratory is the latest initiative of the state government following the success of developing the pioneering rare earth mining project in Mukim Hulu Kenering, Hulu Perak district.
“The laboratory, expected to be operational from next year, will further boost the mineral industry in line with responsible mining practices, emphasizing ecosystem balance as outlined in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan.
“In addition to providing expertise in analyzing and confirming the content of rare earth elements, this laboratory will also help develop a database.
“This will serve as a reference for the state government in developing the rare earth industry and reduce the industry’s reliance on foreign laboratories,” he said in a statement here today.
Saarani also stated that the mineral analysis laboratory will help Perak become a catalyst at the upstream level, ultimately adding value to the midstream and downstream levels in the future.
It will thus serve as an important benchmark for the development of the rare earth industry.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the capabilities of this laboratory are not limited to analyzing rare earth elements like lanthanides in the future.
It also has the potential to analyze other minerals that may be developed in line with the state government’s direction from time to time.
