By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 28: Sarawak is exploring the potential for gold mining in Bau following the recent discovery of new gold deposits in the area, says Deputy Premier and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said the Sarawak government is currently assessing the viability of gold mining activities by considering the implementation of a pilot project on a former mining site measuring approximately 5.281 hectares.
“This pilot project is crucial to determine the feasibility of the project as well as to establish control and mitigation measures for its impacts before commercial mining is considered,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
On Nov 23, 2024, DayakDaily reported that the discovery of 3.3 million ounces of gold in the Bau area placed Sarawak 13th in Asia for the largest gold deposits, with an estimated in-ground value of RM24.3 billion. This finding was first announced in 2021 by Besra Gold Inc. through its subsidiary, North Borneo Gold Sdn Bhd, on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Awang Tengah further revealed that approximately 1,400 new job opportunities across various skill levels and sectors have been identified within the upstream mining and quarrying industries in Sarawak.
“To meet this growing workforce demand, the Sarawak government through the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) will continue providing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to school leavers and university graduates,” he said.
In addition, the State government is working towards establishing a collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada to support research and development (R&D), mining technologies, and the training of professional talent for the industry.
Awang Tengah also disclosed that a digital system known as the Sarawak Minerals Information System (SMIS) has been proposed under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-13) to enhance the efficiency of mineral and rock resource management in the State. – DayakDaily
