By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 11: From 2022 to September 2025, total private investment across Sarawak’s mineral and quarrying industry ecosystem has reached RM3.13 billion, marking significant progress towards the State’s 2030 investment target of RM7.35 billion.
This was highlighted by Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources and Secretary of the Sarawak Minerals Management Authority (SMMA), Datu Abdullah Julaihi, during the launching ceremony of the Green Mining and Quarry Academy at Hotel Seri Malaysia, Lawas, which was being streamed live via Ukas Channel today.
Abdullah noted that government revenue from the upstream industry has also shown steady growth, recording RM61.68 million in 2023 and RM66.93 million in 2024, an increase of 8.51 per cent.
“As of September 2025, revenue collection stood at RM49.71 million.
“The Sarawak Land and Survey Department, as the official revenue collector, will intensify audits and enforcement to ensure the RM100 million annual revenue target is achieved by 2030,” he said.
On employment, Abdullah reported that 1,587 new jobs had been created across the industrial ecosystem between 2022 and September 2025, representing 29.94 per cent of Sarawak’s 2030 target of 5,300 job opportunities.
Abdullah shared that the Talent and Workforce Development Workshop for Sarawak’s Mineral Industry held in October 2024 had identified approximately 3,900 new job opportunities across various positions and fields necessary to drive the industry from 2025 to 2030.
“Of these, around 1,900 positions were classified as critical, requiring immediate talent development. This need led to the establishment of the Green Mining and Quarry Academy,” he said.
In efforts to elevate industry standards, consistently implement best practices, and balance economic, social, and environmental needs, Abdullah emphasised that the Sarawak government has mandated that each industry player appoint at least a qualified mine or quarry manager; an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) officer or a safety coordinator.
“Industry players will be given a period to appoint these officers, and the Green Mining and Quarry Academy will provide the necessary training,” he said.
Abdullah also urged industry players who have not yet commenced the development and operation of their mines or quarries to accelerate their projects. — DayakDaily
