KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): The standard operating procedure (SOP) for mining of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) in Malaysia has been in place since December last year, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES).

This SOP was distributed to state governments via a letter dated Dec 20, 2023. However, the Kedah state government is still considering its adoption, NRES said in a statement.

The SOP includes pre-mining, mining and post-mining phases as well as conservation of former mining areas and export protocols.

NRES’ statement followed media reports in which Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor alleged that certain parties had categorised REE as lanthanides and exported them illegally.

REE exploration falls under the jurisdiction of state authorities. In Kedah, it is regulated under Section 41 of the Kedah Mineral Enactment 2004, which governs Prospecting and Exploration Activities.

Additionally, the ministry noted that the SOP letter also outlined a moratorium on raw REE exports as part of an initiative to develop midstream processing capabilities within the industry.

Regarding a specific SOP for REE exports, NRES indicated it currently has no plans to create a separate protocol, as existing procedures are deemed sufficient.

NRES further clarified that the REE pilot project in Mukim Kenering, Hulu Perak — run in collaboration with the Perak state government — has been granted cabinet-approved permission for raw REE exports in the form of rare earth carbonate (REC) "for a reasonable period".

“Other than this, the ministry has not approved any export permissions as alleged,” the ministry stressed.

NRES explained that lanthanides are a group of 15 elements classified as REEs. “According to records from the Kedah/Perlis/Penang Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMGKPP), no company has, to date, received approval in Kedah using the term "lanthanide".

To combat illegal mining and smuggling of rare elements in Kedah, NRES said that various measures have been implemented through the Department of Minerals and Geoscience.

These include coordinated monitoring with agencies like the Kedah State Forestry Department (JPNK), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Kedah State Land and Mines Office (PTG), the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) and others in areas approved for exploration licenses within the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik, Kedah.

Additional steps involve regular integrated monitoring with agencies such as JPNK, PDRM, PTG, Perhilitan and others in REE-potential areas in Kedah (conducted every six months and through surprise inspections when necessary), as well as port inspections conducted by JMG if mineral exports are suspected, it added.