SEREMBAN: Work to extract non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) from two sites in Jelebu near here will start early 2026, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said his administration had approved the applications to explore for rare earth elements in the district.
He said work would start once the relevant companies obtain the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
"The projects should start early next year and we will be able to start collecting revenue in 2027.
"The projects in Jelebu will be the pilot projects in Negri Sembilan," he said when met after giving away awards at the state's 2025 innovation day on Tuesday (Nov 4).
He said the land where the mining will take place belongs to the Negri government and a state government-linked company.
He said local companies would carry out the exploration but foreign expertise could be brought in to extract the NR-REE.
Aminuddin said the state government had also received an application for NR-REE mining in Tampin from a private owner.
"The owner plans to build houses on a 40ha area but he wants to mine for NR-REE before he proceeds.
"We have also approved it but he has to get the necessary permits (from relevant government agencies)," he added.
