Operations of MCRE Resources and Rahman Hydraulic Tin suspended for three weeks after Sungai Perak water turned blue, with radiation levels above limits
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has approved a three-week suspension of operations for two mining companies in upper Sungai Perak.
MCRE Resources Sdn Bhd and Rahman Hydraulic Tin Sdn Bhd must halt activities following the recent incident of Sungai Perak water changing colour.
Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who also oversees natural resources, announced the suspension in Parliament.
MCRE Resources mines rare earth elements, while Rahman Hydraulic Tin operates Malaysia’s largest open-pit tin mine in Klian Intan, Perak.
Initial findings show discharge samples from MCRE Resources had a bluish tone matching the river’s discolouration.
Waste from the in-situ leaching process recorded radiation readings of up to 13 becquerels, far exceeding the one becquerel environmental limit.
“The investigation now focuses on the chemicals used in leaching and whether they match what was reported to authorities,” Johari said.
Sungai Perak water turned blue on Oct 21 near Kampung Sungai Papan Bridge, about five kilometres north of Kampung Air Ganda, Gerik.
Perak Department of Environment director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh previously linked the incident to mineral mining activities.
A detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the river’s discolouration. – Bernama
