KUALA LUMPUR: Police seized 33,000 tonnes of natural resources worth nearly RM21 million from 24 illegal mines in 10 states during the General Operations Force’s (GOF) Ops Gali Mega `from August 19 to 23.
Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) Director, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said 99 individuals were arrested in the operations, involving 61 locals and 38 undocumented migrants aged between 18 and 64.
“The operations involved kaolin, coal, stone and soil quarries, as well as sand mines, with 45 locations inspected and 24 of them found to be operating illegally, while another 21 had valid mining licences,” he said during a press conference on the operation here today.
Also present was the Technical Services Division’s Senior Director at the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), Datuk Ir Ahmad Zukni Ahmad Khalil.
Apart from natural resources, police also seized 55 vehicles worth nearly RM14.8 million, 87 heavy machinery (RM38.7 million) and 194 units of mining equipment worth RM44.3 million, bringing the total value of the seizures to nearly RM119 million.
Yusri said investigations also identified 32 individuals and 21 companies believed to be involved in the activity, with the list handed over to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to investigate possible tax evasion.
“Intelligence gathering before the operations took between two weeks and a month, while the actual duration of the illegal mining operations is still being investigated, with some believed to have been operating for three to five years,” he said.
Sabah recorded the highest number of illegal mining locations detected at 14, followed by Sarawak (seven), Pahang (six), Selangor (four), Terengganu, Kelantan and Perak (three each), Kedah (two), Negeri Sembilan (two) and Johor (one).
Police are also investigating the entire illegal mining chain, including those who extract, purchase and market the natural resources, believed to be traded illegally on the black market.
“The activity exists because there is a demand for the natural resources and investigations are underway to identify the parties involved in the chain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zukni said there are more than 100 licensed mines currently operating nationwide, with legal mining activities subjected to conditions and controls set by the authorities.
Every licensed mine must comply with various regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including pollution control and environmental management, to ensure mining activities do not affect the surrounding areas.
“Mining carried out without a permit or in non-compliance with licence conditions poses a huge risk to the environment because there is no proper control over pollution, which in turn can cause damage to water catchment areas, soil erosion and the destruction of natural habitats,” he said. – BERNAMA
