Malaysia has suspended operations at a rare earth site and two tin mines in western Perak state following an investigation into complaints that a stretch of a major river had turned bright blue, the natural resources and environment ministry said.
Minister Johari Abdul Ghani told parliament Wednesday that authorities had launched a probe after public reports about discolored water in a part of the Perak River, the second-longest on the Malaysian peninsula.
Initial investigations found discharges at the rare earths mining site, operated by MCRE Resources Sdn Bhd, which matched the color of the water in the river, Johari said.
Radiation readings at the site were also found to be as high as 13 becquerels, far above the 1 becquerel limit permitted under the project’s initial environmental impact assessment report, he added.
“The investigation is now focusing on the type of chemicals used in the mining process and whether it is consistent with the information that has been reported to the authorities,” Johari said.
