NATIONAL PHYSICAL PLANNING COUNCIL APPROVES THE PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REE) MINING ACTIVITIES

PUTRAJAYA (August 15, 2024) — The National Physical Planning
Council has approved the Planning Guidelines for Rare Earth Elements
(REE) Mining Activities to ensure that such activities are conducted in a
sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said
PLANMalaysia has come up with the guidelines as an instrument to
facilitate and support sustainable environmental management in
conducting mining activities.

“REEs are key components in chips and high-end technology products.
It is important to regulate mining activities to protect the environment and
prevent illegal exploration which could cause environmental harm and
result in the loss of national revenue ”he said.

According to the Department of Minerals and Geoscience, Malaysia
contains 16.1 million tonnes of rare earth minerals with a market value of
RM809.6 billion.

The guidelines prohibit rare earth mining in forest reserves and impose
an export ban on raw rare earth materials.

Furthermore, it includes incorporating the mapping of potential REE
mineral areas into the Development Plan by designating permitted,
conditionally permitted, and prohibited zones for mining activities.

Additionally, it outlines the requirements for planning permission related
to REE mining activities, suggesting that companies must obtain
planning permission before or during the submission of their operational
mining scheme (OMS).

PLANMalaysia will provide advisory services from the spatial planning,
economic, social and environmental aspects to ensure that each mining
operation is conducted in a well-planned and sustainable manner.

“Through the guidelines, we aim to increase state revenue, create more
job opportunities and generate new economic prospects for those
engaged in downstream industries,” said Nga.

The National Physical Planning Council held its 45th meeting on
Thursday and was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.