Threat to water sources near mines

A slope that was patched up after a bauxite mines water retention pond had overflowed after four hours of rain, causing the wall to collapse and flood a nearby house.Photo and caption by: Qishin Tariq

I REFER to media reports on the bauxite mining issue which look like the local council’s move to restrict the operations to 11 certified contractors has not solved the problems faced by the Kuan­tan folk living near the mines. In fact, it is now threatening a vital aspect of their wellbeing – their drinking water resources!

Bauxite is the main source of aluminium. However, the extraction process produces a large amount of hazardous waste including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, lead, manganese, chromium, nickel, mercury and naturally-occurring radioactive materials.