ALOR STAR: A local company based in Kuala Lumpur has been awarded an approval permit to explore and extract rare earth elements (REE) in Kedah.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said Kedah has mineral deposits estimated at RM62 billion throughout the state and the company was given the approval last week to carry out exploration work in one area in the state.
However, he did not state the estimated value of the mineral deposits involved in the area and when the company would carry out exploration.
"The local company is also collaborating with an international firm for the exploration. They will carry out exploration work in Sik," he told a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting here, yesterday.
According to him, the company will carry out exploration work and mineral extraction activities without involving mining methods.
Muhammad Sanusi said the mineral was also described as non-radioactive and in high demand, especially in the manufacturing sector of digital technology components such as smartphones and laptops.
Commenting further on the development, Muhammad Sanusi said it was hoped the Federal government could formulate an appropriate policy on mineral exploration so that the wealth of natural resources could be enjoyed by the people of the state.
In another development, Muhammad Sanusi said the state government would work with Qatar Airways to bring tourists directly to Langkawi from countries that have been categorised as Covid-19 green zones.
He said the move was an effort to revitalise the tourism sector on the resort island and the airline also said it had expressed readiness to build a system that would ensure that every tourist underwent a COVID-19 screening test before entering Langkawi.
"I have brought this matter to the attention of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, he basically agrees with the proposal. He only asked us to examine the current policy of the Health Ministry and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry," he said. -- Bernama