KUALA LUMPUR: Forest reserves in the East Coast state are now targets for illegal gold miners.
Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department secretary-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the targeted locations are often remote forest reserves rich in gold deposits.
To evade detection by authorities, these groups or syndicates often disguise their activities as legitimate operations, such as agriculture or legal mineral mining, before venturing into illegal gold mining in nearby areas.
"Once they have pinpointed a promising site, the syndicate will bring in machinery such as backhoes, excavators, four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as equipment like trenchers, water pumps, and electric generators," he explained during an exclusive interview with Sinar Harian.
The masterminds behind these operations frequently recruit lookouts – individuals paid to warn them of approaching law enforcement.
"The suspects are knowledgeable about locations with gold resources and will take advantage of any opportunity to mine illegally, day or night," he said. "There is a possibility that some suspects were experienced."
He outlined that large-scale mining requires significant financial investment, leading suspects to pursue unlawful methods.
"All these operations often stem from side activities such as legal plantations or other minerals like rocks and sand. For instance, if area A is licensed for mining, but area B is not, once gold is discovered in area B, they will conduct illegal mining activities there," he clarified.
Zahari further elaborated that these large-scale operations often involve extensive digging and hazardous chemicals.
"Additionally, the syndicate frequently brings in foreign workers without proper documentation," he added.
Lookouts to monitor the authorities
When questioned about the involvement of lookouts, Zahari acknowledged their presence.
"Lookouts act as monitors to prevent law enforcement from entering the site, delaying their response. Large illegal syndicates typically hire these individuals," he said.
Zahari mentioned that his department has also detected illegal gold mining activities conducted by individuals.
"For small-scale operations, suspects commonly use traditional methods such as panning. Those working independently often have prior experience in identifying viable locations," he said.
He stated that records from the past two years show that suspects include illegal miners and workers.
"During this period, we've seized various assets, including equipment and machinery valued at approximately RM66,500," he reported.
Satellite monitoring of illegal mining activities
According to Zahari, the promotion of gold mining activities on social media is believed to encourage such illegal practices. "We have identified several hotspot areas based on previous incidents and mineral maps for each state. In terms of enforcement, we can pinpoint illegal mining areas, particularly where gold is predominantly found in Pahang and Kelantan."
So far, no significant reports have indicated threats from illegal miners. Zahari mentioned that satellite technology was being utilised to monitor forest clearing activities. "Illegal gold mining typically results in significant land clearance, often requiring the felling of trees covering at least a quarter of an acre, which can be tracked via satellite."
"If unusual forest clearing is detected in any state, we will conduct further investigations to ascertain the activities. Additionally, patrols will be deployed to deter unauthorised individuals from trespassing," he explained.
He added that restoring former mining sites is a lengthy process due to the infertility and aridity of the soil. Furthermore, the Forestry Department was exploring using artificial intelligence (AI) technology systems to help protect the country's forest resources.
"This illegal mining, driven by the high value of gold, has the potential to increase yearly. It significantly impacts forest ecosystems and conservation efforts," he concluded.
