The Perak government is planning to establish cooperation with China to explore the latest technology in the mineral industry, especially in rare earth elements, said the Perak Menteri Besar’s Office (MBO).

In a statement today, the MBO said Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad, who is leading a delegation to China, arrived in Nanning yesterday to visit the rare earth element extraction factory of China Rare Earth Group Co Ltd (CREG).

According to the statement, the visit to Nanning, which is also known as the ‘Green City’, is not only seen as an effort to strengthen Malaysia-China bilateral relations but also fulfils the CREG invitation sent to the state government last month.

The MBO said in addition to exploring the investment potential in Perak, the visit was also aimed at reviewing the latest technology in China’s mineral industry which Perak can take advantage of as a state that has the potential to become a hub for the development of the industry in Malaysia.

“This visit also allows the Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak, as the main driver of the mineral industry in Perak, to strengthen the strategic relationship in the use of technology, especially in terms of extracting rare earth elements, in a safe and responsible manner,” the statement read.

MBO said the move would allow continuous efforts to improve the strategy to develop the mineral industry after the in-situ leaching (ISL) method had been proven successful as the safest, most environmentally friendly, and sustainable method for lanthanide mining.

Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad

According to the MBO, the working visit was very significant as Perak successfully carried out a pilot project for lanthanide mining in Mukim Kenering, in the Hulu Perak district, which resulted in the return of approximately RM16 million in royalties to the state government as of last July.

During the working visit, CREG (Guangxi) Rare Earth Co Ltd managing director Zhang Xinguang provided the Perak delegation with information regarding the conservation of the site after the extraction of rare earth elements.

The delegation was also taken on a tour of the company’s rare earth element extraction factory.

Also present during the visit were Perak State Secretary Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim; Perak Tourism, Industry, Investment, and Development state executive councillor Loh Sze Yee, representatives of state-linked companies including MB Inc and Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation, as well as representatives of state technical agencies.

- Bernama

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