UPDATE: Malaysia extends moratorium on bauxite mining till June 30

<p>The Malaysian government has prolonged the period of moratorium on bauxite mining in Pahang for another three months till June 30, looking to clear remaining bauxite stockpiles. The government also hinted at the fact that the mining actions were still going on in spite of the ban.</p> <p><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.alcircle.com/uploads/images/10982046176_507997b6b3_b-790x454.jpg" alt="news" width="517" height="226" /></p> <p>Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said in a statement that the cabinet has decided to extend the ban on bauxite mining in accordance with Pahang state government&rsquo;s decision.</p> <p>Wan Junaidi said, "The extension of the moratorium will give space to industry players to clear existing stockpiles and prepare measures to mitigate pollution across the bauxite mining and export supply chain."</p> <p>{googleAdsense}</p> <p>He further stated that a stockpile of 2.15 million tonnes of bauxite still remained near Kuantan, Pahang and only 3.25 million tonnes of bauxite were exported till February 28.</p> <p>The government first banned the bauxite mining on January 15, 2016 after the residents protested over contamination of water due to unregulated bauxite mining.</p>