The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry is studying the establishment of a Mineral Development Authority to spur the development and governance of the industry.

Mineral and Geoscience Department director-general Shahar Effendi Abdullah Aziz said it was important to set up a framework for the development of rare earth minerals and related industries, so that all parties can play their respective roles effectively.

According to Shahar, rare earth minerals are the key ingredient in the production of new technologies for the aviation, transportation, medical and telecommunications industries because of its unique atomic arrangement in producing energy efficiency and lower emissions of exhaust gases, as well as manufacturing smaller but more powerful equipment.

He said the ministry through the department is also evaluating potential minerals as a source of new wealth to the country such as lithium, tin, tungsten, manganese and rare earth elements.

"The results of the study will be the base for the development policy which will be guided by sustainable mining principle in ensuring the sustainability of the environment and the safety of the people," he said in a statement today.

Like other minerals, he noted that rare earth mineral mining activities are subject to the state mineral enactments administered by the state Land and Mines directors and the Mineral Development Act 1994 (Act 525) administered by the department.

"Any excavation work, exploration or mining should be licensed or authorised according to the law," he said.

- Bernama