KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has identified Tanah Merah and Jeli as districts with potential for gold panning, a traditional method of extracting gold from river sediment using a shallow pan.
Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said relevant officers have been instructed to review licensing, safety, and legal aspects before any mining activities are approved.
He stated that the state government will ensure that areas designated for gold panning are not within prohibited zones and do not pose safety risks to miners.
"We know some people are already involved in this activity, so the state government is taking responsibility to regulate and facilitate it to ensure it is done legally," he told reporters after the Kelantan state legislative assembly sitting at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim on Tuesday (Nov 11).
Mohamed Fadzli said details of the licensing process will be announced later, as officers are currently drafting guidelines and conditions for gold panning.
On Monday (Nov 10), the state government announced that residents would be allowed to conduct gold panning under a conditional licensing scheme to be issued by the state. – Bernama
