The government has decided not to put a full stop to Kuantan's bauxite mining industry.

"We will not stop bauxite mining, there has been no instruction to do so," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Instead, Wan Junaidi and Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob announced a three-month moratorium on mining starting from Jan 15 to facilitate the clearing of existing stockpiles.

Wan Junaidi said in the first month, the bauxite stockpiles at the Kuantan Port must either be shipped out or shifted to another location.

The second month will focus on clearing the 11 stockpiles outside the port while the third month will be to set up infrastructure to ensure that bauxite mining no longer harms the environment.

Mining companies that do not comply will have their export permits revoked.

However, he also said that if the companies cannot meet the deadline, the moratorium will be extended.

Among the infrastructure to be built in the third month of the moratorium, is a central stockpile facility, with proper mitigation system to be built by the mining companies.

The central stockpile will include bauxite cleaning facilities, after which the minerals will be transported via tubes to the Kuantan Port.

Asked on how the government will deal with illegal mining, Wan Junaidi outlined several measures.

Among them is to limit export permits for bauxite to companies, which he expects will eliminate all the individual players.

There will also be greater enforcement on transporting bauxite, to deal with illegal lorries.

The central stockpile will also only be open to licensed companies, so as to deter illegal miners.

Wan Junaidi admitted the run-off from bauxite stockpiles had caused pollution, including the “red sea” at Pantai Batu Hitam.

As such, he has also ordered Kuantan's Port authority to clean up its facilities.