ROMPIN: Authorities foiled a plan to carry out illegal gold mining activities in the Tersang Forest Reserve in Raub following the arrest of a group of men at the site on Oct 1.
Pahang Forestry Department director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin said various mining equipment was confiscated in the raid conducted by members of the Raub Forestry District Office Enforcement Unit, following a tip-off from members of the public.
He said after a few hours, they found the location at Ulu Renggol, located in the forest reserve.
"Various equipment for building a mining system including water pumps, fire engine, steel cutter as well as two pallet units and welding machines, were found.
"There was also a motorcycle and two excavators, believed to have been used to clean the area, build a road and dig a hole," he said.
Mohd Hizamri said during the raid, the authorities did not find any workers.
He did not deny that an experienced gold mining syndicate was behind the illegal activities.
He said they were now trying to find the others responsible, adding action would be taken as leaving equipment and machines in a forest reserve was against the law.
"The mining site is quite big. They had two pallet units and two excavators as well a few other items.
"We believe six people are involved, and they had started with constructing the site, followed by digging activities.
"The district office has been instructed to conduct more frequent patrols as a bid to stop these activities.
"Tersang Forest Reserve and a few other forests in the district as well as in Lipis continues to be a major attraction for illegal gold mining syndicates," he added.