SULTAN NAZRIN, TUANKU ZARA VISIT MINERAL-RELATED FACILITIES

GOPENG, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim visited the proof of concept (POC) Central Processing Plant (CPP) as well as the first non-radioactive rare earth element (NR-REE) analysis laboratory in Malaysia, Terra Mineral Lab Sdn Bhd (TML) today.

In a statement, the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) of Perak said the CPP POC has achieved early success by successfully separating four groups of REE.

The groups include Lanthanum Cerium (LaCe), Praseodymium Neodymium (PrNd), Samarium Europium Gadolinium (SEG) and Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE).

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"This achievement demonstrates the capability of local technology in isolating important REE elements," according to the statement.

At the same time, Perak MB Inc said TML which operates under their full supervision, is the first commercial NR-REE analysis laboratory in Malaysia.

According to the Perak MBI Inc, TML equipped with world-class high-tech scientific equipment has superior capabilities in analysing, identifying and verifying mineral content, particularly NR-REE.

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Perak MB Inc said this laboratory is now being operated by 15 local experts who are trained graduates from local universities, demonstrating success in developing local talent.

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad in the same statement said this success reflects the state governments’ continued commitment through the Perak MB Inc in developing the mineral industry responsibly, in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 Plan.

“The development of the NR-REE industry not only benefits the state economy, but also creates job opportunities for the locals and puts Perak on the global map of the mineral industry," he said.

The Perak MB Inc announced that TML is now offering mineral analysis services to various industry stakeholders not only in Perak but throughout Malaysia, with its role as a state reference database and benchmark centre strengthening Perak's position as a leader in the national NR-REE industry.

The state government, through local expertise, will continue to enhance the capabilities of the CPP POC with the aim of achieving operations on a commercial scale.

This effort is part of a comprehensive strategy to enable Perak to independently carry out NR-REE mining, thereby empowering the state's mineral industry on the international stage.

Besides Saarani, the Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Minister Chang Lih Kan also visited both facilities.

Meanwhile, Saarani when met by reporters, said Sultan Nazrin urged the state government to collaborate with the federal government in terms of funding and cooperation, including with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; MOSTI; Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry; and Economy Ministry involving the mineral industry.

“I also requested funding from the Prime Minister to give JMG (the Mineral and Geoscience Department) the opportunity to analyse, explore the whole of Perak, and map it to ensure that not only NR-REE (is looked at) but maybe there are many more minerals in this state," he added.

-- BERNAMA