KUANTAN: An illegal bauxite mining operation has been thwarted by the Pahang government, through its state enforcement unit (UPNP) elite team.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said a UPNP patrol managed to put a stop to the unauthorised activity in Sungai Ular here at about 6.30pm on Thursday (July 6).
"Based on the report I received, three members of the UPNP elite team were on a daily patrol to monitor silica activities around Sungai Baging and Sungai Ular at about 6pm.
"While on patrol at about 6.20pm, the team flew a drone and saw bauxite mining in the vicinity of Sungai Ular near MCKIP," he said in a statement on Friday (July 7).
Wan Rosdy said the team then went to the scene of the incident and asked a lorry driver to produce the necessary documents but the driver failed to do so.
"The UPNP team then seized four dumper lorries and two excavators," he said, adding that the action was taken under Section 137 (1) of the State Minerals Enactment 2001 for suspected offences of mining without a valid licence or lease.
Wan Rosdy congratulated the UPNP for successfully thwarting the illegal mining operation.
"I also affirm that the Pahang government will not compromise with any illegal land encroachment throughout the state and efforts to combat such activities will continue at all times," he said.
