IPOH: The state government has denied allegations of seabed tin mining activities along the coastal area of the Sungai Batu estuary in the Manjung District, which is said to have affected the livelihood of fishermen.

During the winding-up session of the Perak State Assembly on Tuesday (April 22), Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad clarified that checks with the relevant agencies confirmed that no approval has been granted for any mining activities in the area.

“The Minerals and Geoscience Department confirmed that no Mining Operation Scheme Approval Letter has been issued.

“Any mining activity can only be carried out after obtaining approval,” he said.

Saarani said that although an application (mining) has been submitted to the department, the application is still under evaluation, and no operational approval has been granted so far.

According to Saarani, the only activity currently taking place is a silica sand mining by a developer with a valid approval.

“The sand mining site is located five kilometres away from the turtle landing area at Pantai Pasir Panjang,” he noted.

He further explained that under the amended Manjung District Local Plan 2030, the coastal area in question has been designated as a Level 3 Environmentally Sensitive Coastal Zone in relation to marine ecosystem conservation and is prohibited from any form of mining activity.

“A decision was made to reject any mining applications or license renewals in the area, in line with the state government’s commitment to protect the environment and the interests of the fishing community.

“The State Government remains committed to monitoring the area and will take immediate action to halt any unapproved mining activities if detected,” he added.

In February this year, more than 1,500 fishermen who rely on coastal resources for their livelihood had urged the relevant authorities to revoke the approval granted for a seabed tin mining project scheduled to be carried out along the coastal area of the district.

IPOH – Kerajaan Negeri Perak memaklumkan bahawa tiada sebarang aktiviti perlombongan bijih timah dasar laut sedang dijalankan di pesisir pantai atau di muara Sungai Batu, Daerah Manjung dekat sini.

Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad berkata, perkara itu disahkan hasil semakan dan maklum balas daripada Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Malaysia (JMG) serta agensi-agensi berkaitan.

“JMG mengesahkan bahawa tiada Surat Kelulusan Skim Pengendalian Melombong (SKSPM) telah dikeluarkan untuk aktiviti perlombongan di kawasan tersebut.

“Sebarang aktiviti perlombongan hanya boleh dijalankan setelah mendapat kelulusan SKSPM daripada JMG.

“Walaupun terdapat permohonan yang telah diterima, ia masih dalam peringkat penilaian di peringkat Jawatankuasa SKSPM JMG Ibu Pejabat, dan tiada sebarang kelulusan untuk beroperasi telah dikeluarkan,“ katanya pada sesi Penggulungan Perbahasan Titah Diraja pada Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) di Bangunan Perak Daruk Ridzuan, pada Selasa.

Beliau berkata demikian bagi menjawab dakwaan berlaku aktiviti perlombongan di pesisiran pantai sehingga menjejaskan nelayan khususnya di Muara Sungai Batu.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Saarani memaklumkan, ketika ini hanya aktiviti perlombongan pasir silika sahaja yang dijalankan oleh pemaju.

“Berdasarkan kepada kelulusan Laporan Penilaian Kesan Kepada Alam Sekitar (DEIA) dan Laporan Pengurusan Alam Sekitar (EMP) bertarikh 13 Jun 2023 yang telah diberikan kepada pihak syarikat.

“Lokasi aktiviti tersebut terletak sejauh lima kilometer daripada kawasan pendaratan penyu di Pantai Pasir Panjang,“ jelasnya.

Sebelum ini, media melaporkan lebih 1,500 nelayan yang bergantung hidup pada sumber pencarian di pesisir pantai mendesak supaya pihak berkaitan membatalkan kelulusan yang diberikan untuk satu projek perlombongan bijih timah dasar laut yang dijadual dilaksanakan di kawasan pesisiran pantai daerah ini.

Kebenaran untuk aktiviti perlombongan itu didakwa diberikan dari muara Sungai Batu hingga Tanjung Batu, meliputi kawasan yang menjadi sumber pendapatan utama bagi nelayan di sekitar kawasan tersebut. – MG Perak