QUARRY blasting should be carried out in accordance with conditions set by the authorities, says Perak state science, environment and green technology committee chairman Teh Kok Li.
He said the state had always been very strict on this matter.
Teh said alternative steps to ensure quarry activities did not disrupt the natural ecosystem should also be implemented.
“Strict conditions are imposed on blasting activities, including the explosive design, certified blasters, timing of the explosions, limits of earthquake parameters and air blasts,” he said when replying to a question by Azizi Mohamed Ridzuwan (PN-Lubok Merbau) during the state assembly sitting in Ipoh yesterday.
Azizi had asked to what extent the state government monitors quarry activities in the state to ensure that they do not harm the environment.
Teh said blasting design proposals should be submitted to the Perak Minerals and Geoscience Department for approval, before blasting is conducted.
“All blasting works must be carried out by certified blasters and supervised by a consulting engineer to ensure that the blasting activities do not have a negative impact on the surroundings.
“Monitoring of earthquakes and air explosions using seismometers also needs to be conducted at locations of public interest near, or at, any location directed by the department.
“This monitoring work should also be carried out by the quarry operators or through a consulting engineer, while the results should be recorded and submitted to the department,” he added.
