Malaysia government presents proposed SOP for bauxite mining; sets limit for monthly exports

The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry of Malaysia reportedly unveiled the proposed rigid standard operating procedure (SOP) for bauxite mining and export activities in Pahang on March 31. The SOP, which was uploaded in the ministry’s website yesterday, stated that the Malaysian government capped its monthly bauxite exports at 600,000 tonnes. The Kuantan port authority, which exports the bulk of the ore from the country, fixed this capacity, said the Ministry.

According to the draft proposals, “This capacity has taken into consideration various aspects including issues of cleanliness and the environment.”

The draft includes regulations for buffer zones between mining sites and residential areas, mining rights application planning, bauxite mining site management, stockpile and port management, transportation and enforcement methods, and exportation procedures. It particularly specifies that bauxite coming from mines more than 5Km from the Kuantan port should be delivered to a centralised stockpile before sent to the port for shipment.

The draft also states that all new and existing mining and stockpile sites should obtain an approved environmental impact assessment (EIA), which should contain health impact assessment, social impact assessment, and traffic impact assessment.

Approval on a rehabilitation plan from the state mineral resources committee should also be taken before the beginning of an activity, states the SOP draft. Operators will need to perform environmental pollution mitigation measures at mining sites as an act of pollution control.

On April 4, the ministry will reportedly take feedback and suggestions on the SOP draft from members of the public, industry, and NGOs.