KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry has confirmed that no approval was granted for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for the bauxite mining project in Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang.
Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the EIA reports for the project had also been previously rejected.
"The EIA report for this project had been rejected, and the Environment Department headquarters recently received a new EIA report for the proposed project in Bukit Goh, Kuantan, titled "Proposed Bauxite Mining Operation in Bukit Goh with an area of 2,444.73 hectares in Mukim Kuantan, District of Kuantan, Pahang" on Sept 24.
"The project proponent for this proposal is BG Mining Sdn Bhd," he said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Nik Nazmi said this in response to Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) who enquired whether a new EIA approval had been granted for bauxite mining projects in Bukit Goh, Kuantan.
Nik Nazmi added that the EIA reports would usually be evaluated and discussed in detail at the EIA Technical Committee (EIATRC) meeting.
"This will involve other government agencies, both federal and state, as well as appointed individuals and non-governmental organisations.
"Therefore, the EIATRC meeting will consider all comments and recommendations from the relevant parties before a decision is made on the EIA report."
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested three people including a Pahang government official in its crackdown on the illegal extraction of minerals in the state.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the minerals, which include bauxite, have been illegally extracted since 2022.
The three people - two company owners and an official - were arrested during an operation in Bukit Goh yesterday.
The official, who is attached to a state government agency, is believed to have accepted bribes to protect the illegal extraction of minerals.