EIA study on Kudat silica mining took villagers' concerns into account, says state minister

KOTA KINABALU: All environmental concerns raised by villagers about a silica mining project close to a scenic beach in Kudat have been recorded in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, says Phoong Jin Zhe.

The Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister told the state assembly earlier this week that the EIA process involved a comprehensive environmental impact study for the areas involved in Sikuati, as well as the nearby residents.

He said the China-based Kibing Group’s investment in Sikuati consisted of the construction of a processing plant as well as silica sand extraction and the building of a private jetty in the area.

Phoong then said that the silica extracted and processed in Sikuati would then be sent to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) for the purpose of manufacturing solar glass.

“All environmental issues raised by the public have been taken into account in this EIA study,” Phoong said, in his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks on the state government policy speech delivered earlier by the Sabah Governor.

He added that an EIA evaluation committee consisting of departments, agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been established to evaluate the study.

“All the implementation of this project, including the extraction and processing of silica sand, is monitored and regulated through the Development Plan (DP) and EIA report,” said Phoong.

In August last year, residents from five villages in Sikuati held a small protest to voice their concerns that the silica sand mining and processing project will bring environmental harm to the idyllic Bangau beach as well as the surroundings near their villages.

The residents from Kampung Bangau, Andab Bangau, Andab Darat, Kimihang and Longgom Kecil had urged the Sabah government to intervene and put a stop to the project.

Towards this end, Phoong said his ministry together with staff from state and federal government agencies had also held an engagement session with the local villagers last Sept 9 at the Kudat District Office to provide further clarifications regarding the EIA report.

The session included mitigation measures on silica sand extraction activities as well as the rehabilitation of the extraction area, he added.

“In addition, I personally visited Sikuati on May 18 recently to hold a discussion with the local residents on this matter.

“This EIA report is open to the public and can be accessed at the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) office.

“My ministry will always ensure that foreign investors look after and improve the socio-economic and social aspects of the local population, especially by offering job opportunities to locals,” Phoong said.

So far, local residents have obtained 88 job opportunities from the Kibing Group, he added.