By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, May 26: The mining sector in Sarawak is expected to create at least 5,300 job opportunities as well as economic spin-offs worth more than RM3.5 billion a year in Sarawak, said Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Awang Tengah, who is also Second Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister, said Sarawak government saw the potential of the mining sector in Sarawak to be developed as one of the key economic sectors that can bring prosperity to its people.
According to him, through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), three main initiatives to drive this industry has been set, namely; to strengthen the State Minerals Management Authority (SMMA) and reform mining policy and regulatory framework; develop geological mapping; and streamline mining activities, intensify downstream activities and design business models to drive mining activities.
“With the implementation under PCDS 2030, the mining sector will be able to generate investments estimated at RM6.7 billion, especially in the middle (midstream) and downstream (downstream) industries by 2030,” said Awang Tengah in his winding up speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
According to Awang Tengah, the Sarawak government has approved a RM15 million allocation in the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) to study the existence of mineral resources in an area of approximately 26,164.22 square kilometers or 2,616,422 hectares.
He said a total of 13 major action plans and 59 sub-action plans have also been prepared for implementation from 2022 to 2030 to achieve the set initiatives.
“As a first step, the Sarawak government has approved the establishment of the Mineral Resources and Geoscience Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development on Feb 22, 2022.
“This division will focus on the development of this sector while ensuring the implementation of the action plans that have been prepared,” he added. — DayakDaily
