In an effort to prepare Perak’s new Mining Blueprint, and to enhance the mining and quarrying industries in the state, Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) organised a workshop entitled “Perlombongan dan Pengkuarian Berhemah” (Proper Mining and Quarrying Methods), at Impiana Hotel, Ipoh recently.
The workshop saw participants from all over Perak, including interested parties from both the private and the public sectors, partaking in knowledge-sharing and exchanging of ideas pertaining to the subject matter.
According to State Public Utilities, Infrastructure, Energy and Water Committee Chairman, Dato’ Zainol Fadzi Paharudin, the workshop’s aim was to discuss ways to improve the mining and quarrying industries and to make Perak the largest mining and quarrying state in Malaysia by Year 2020. It was also aimed at tapping ideas and knowledge from the different parties and to promote sustainable mining and quarrying methods.
“Perak is rich in natural resources, especially tin and limestone. To improve productivity we should adopt sustainable mining methods so these natural resources would last longer. The workshop could also provide ideas and solutions to help solve mining issues, such as government red tape and ways to tackle them,” he said.
Zainol, who stood-in for Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, thanked those present for their support in making the workshop a success.
Chief Executive of MB Inc, Dato’ Aminudin Hashim, added that with the increase in demand for tin products, Perak’s mining industry had to move with time in order to remain relevant.
“Price of tin on the commodity market has increased ten fold from RM6, 355 per ton in 1985 to RM65, 320 per ton presently. I believe with such a high demand for the metal, Malaysia would, undoubtedly, gain in the long run,” he said.
As part of an initiative to enhance the new blueprint, MB Inc recently signed an agreement of cooperation with the International Tin Research Institute and the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Cornwall, United Kingdom. The cooperation is aimed at preparing an effective mining road map for Perak.
Yvette
