By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 11: Sarawak requires at least RM300 million to complete Stage 1 of its mineral resource survey, covering approximately 31,472 square kilometres or 3.147 million hectares or equivalent to 25.29 per cent of the State’s land area.
Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources and secretary of the Sarawak Minerals Management Authority (SMMA), Datu Abdullah Julaihi, said the survey, which involves soil and water sampling, is part of Sarawak’s broader plan to map and manage its mineral resources comprehensively.
He disclosed that under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Sarawak government had already funded RM11.99 million for geological mapping and resource studies over an area of approximately 1,289 square kilometres in Baleh and Hulu Julau, a project that has now been completed.
“Despite the completed studies under 12MP, Sarawak still lags behind other Malaysian states in terms of mineral resource assessment.
“The study will continue under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), targeting an additional 6,000 square kilometres, subject to the approval of federal and state allocations,” he said when speaking at the launching ceremony of the Green Mining and Quarry Academy at Hotel Seri Malaysia, Lawas, which was being streamed live via Ukas Channel today.
Since mineral resource assessment falls under federal jurisdiction, he said the ministry has formally requested the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia to channel fair and adequate funding to the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) Sarawak.
“This funding is crucial to enable JMG Sarawak to undertake more aggressive studies during the 13MP period,” he said.
Abdullah highlighted that identifying mineral and rock resources is not straightforward, as their existence is heavily dependent on geological conditions and cannot be determined by visual inspection alone.
“Comprehensive studies are essential to determine the type, quality, and estimated quantity of these resources,” he said.
He stressed that accurate data is crucial to prevent wastage of valuable resources and to enable the government to plan development holistically.
“Such data also plays a key role in boosting investor confidence, particularly as Sarawak positions itself for a more structured and transparent minerals sector,” he added. — DayakDaily
