Sustainable Quarrying Practices for Limestone Hills Emphasized by Perak Chief Minister
By: Aida Aziz
IPOH: The mining of quarries in any area can only proceed with the unanimous approval of all relevant departments, stated the Chief Minister of Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
However, he emphasized that if any technical reports or assessments suggest that the area is unsafe and poses a risk of limestone rock collapse, the application will not be approved.
“Before any company is allowed to operate a quarry, their application is first submitted to the Land and Mines Office (PTG), which then obtains technical assessments from relevant departments.
“This includes the Public Works Department (JKR), Geological Sciences, and others. Only if all departments agree that the area can be quarried will it be approved.
“But if any technical department disagrees, for example, the Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG) and JKR disagree, and if there is a department reporting a high likelihood of collapses or unsafe conditions, then the Mineral Committee will not approve that area for quarrying,” he said.
He made these remarks in response to a supplementary question by Bavani Veraiah (PH-Malim Nawar) during the 15th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here on Friday.
She inquired about the state government’s efforts to preserve and rehabilitate limestone hills in the state of Perak.
In addition, Saarani mentioned that quarry operations require the Quarry Operation Scheme Approval Letter (SKSK) or the Mining Operation Certificate Approval Letter (SKSPM).
He stated that these letters would be issued by the JMG Perak.
Furthermore, for the years 2022 to 2023, JMG Perak recorded a total of nine accidents at quarry sites, involving two injuries and five fatalities.
He clarified that these incidents included rock collapses, truck tire explosions in workshops, and transport truck operators getting trapped in lorries.
