Malaysia: No green light yet for Bukit Goh bauxite mining

Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia, clarified during the Minister's 'Question Time' in the ‘Lower House of Parliament, Malaysia, on December 12, 2024, that bauxite mining activities in Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang, have not secured approval for their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

He revealed that the initial EIA report for the project was rejected, and a revised report was submitted to the Department of Environment a few months ago, which is now under review.

Responding to Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Member of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, Nik Nazmi said, “Once again, the department received an EIA report for a project proposal titled Proposed Bauxite Mining Operation in Bukit Goh with an area of 2,424.73 hectares in Mukim Kuala Kuantan, District of Kuantan, Pahang on Sept 24. The proponent of this project is BG Mining Sdn Bhd.”

Nik Nazmi elaborated that the new report is currently being reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (EIA-TRC). He assured that the department would strictly follow its standard procedures throughout the process.

He added, “This process involves consultations with technical agencies at both federal and state levels, appointed experts, NGOs, and other government bodies. The EIA-TRC will consider all feedback and comments from the relevant parties before deciding on the report."

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