SEREMBAN: Work to extract non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) from two sites in Jelebu will start early next year, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said his administration has already approved the applications to explore rare earth elements in the district.
He said work will start once the relevant companies obtain the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
“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 pilots in Negri Sembilan,” he said when met after giving away awards at the state’s 2025 Innovation Day.
He said the land where mining will be carried out belongs to the state government and a state government-linked company.
The exploration will be carried out by local companies, but foreign expertise may be brought in to extract NR-REE.
Aminuddin said the state government has 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 before he proceeds, he wants to mine NR-REE. We have also okayed it, but he has to get the necessary permits,” he added.
On a separate matter, Aminuddin said the leaders of parties in the unity government will have to decide if the next state and general elections should be held simultaneously.
“It is best that leaders in the unity government make a decision on this so that there will be less politicking later,” he said.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had previously suggested this, among other reasons, to reduce election management costs and logistical challenges.
Several states are nearing the end of their terms with Melaka in December next year, Sarawak in February 2027 and Johor two months later.
The 16th General Election must be held by February 2028.
