Gerik: The Department of Environment (DOE) has identified three mining operations in the upper reaches of Sungai Perak in Gerik following reports that the river water had recently turned bluish. Its director-general, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, stated that the area involved one rare earth element (REE) mine and two tin mines.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, there were initially four mines, but one has since been closed. Water samples have been collected, and the DOE is awaiting analysis results from the Chemistry Department. The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG). Preliminary investigations suggest that nearby mining activities are likely the cause of the river's discolouration, although other contributing factors have not been ruled out.
Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff explained that pollution might not always originate directly from factories. Sometimes, chemicals disposed of into rivers can cause the water to change colour due to chemical reactions. Further investigations are ongoing, and the findings will be released once the chemical analysis report is received.
Photos of Sungai Perak near the Kampung Sungai Papan Bridge, approximately five kilometres north of Kampung Air Ganda in Gerik, appeared blue and went viral on social media on Oct 21. Following this, Perak DOE director, Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh, indicated that mining activities were suspected causes, with investigations underway to determine the actual reason.
In another development, Wan Abdul Latiff addressed a recent pollution incident in Sungai Johor affecting over 450,000 water supply accounts. The cause was identified as a ruptured sand-washing pond at a land-based sand mining site in Kota Tinggi. Investigations revealed that the sand mining project covered an area of less than 20 hectares and was not subject to the requirement of preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. However, action has been taken under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, directing the company involved to carry out repair works on the affected pond and embankment.