IPOH, Jan 26 — Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohammad said that the state government is planning to set up a non-radioactive rare earth element (NR-REE) processing centre in the state.
Saarani said the state is exploring opportunities in the NR-REE mining sector, which is a high-value mineral material on the world market, starting with the implementation of a pilot project in Mukim Kenering in the Hulu Perak District.
“This could be a downstream industry activity to produce semi-products and final products that are more valuable compared to raw NR-REE products,” he told reporters after his New Year Executive Speech to civil servants at the Casuarina Meru Hotel here.
He also said that the state has requested the federal government to reconsider granting the RM20 million allocation for deposit studies on potential mineral resources in the state.
“The allocation was already there, but it went silent at the last minute, so we have made another request.
“This is because we believe there are other potential mineral sources in Perak apart from lanthanides. The allocation will allow us to look into other minerals too,” he added.
Saarani also said that the state is hopeful the federal government will grant its request as the allocation was previously approved.
When asked to divulge the locations or commencement date for the project, Saarani said, “We will only reveal the details when the time is right.”
