Balung: While the mining industry is often associated with foreign expertise and closed technologies, the sector is now beginning to change as more locals-especially young people-step forward to master the skills and technology in this field. At a gold mine in Bukit Tundong, Balung, young people are seen as the backbone of operations, with the majority of the workforce made up of locals who now fill various roles, including technical positions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd, a Sabah-based gold mining company established in 2008, currently employs 300 workers, with about 75 percent of them being local youths under the age of 35. Assistant geologist Shahirah Atirah Lee, 27, said that her interest in the field was driven by her active nature as well as the opportunity to work in the field. The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate said that a career as a geologist gives her the chance to observe the entire mining process while also exploring various locations.

Shahirah Atirah stated that the involvement of young people in the industry not only opens up new career opportunities but also provides exposure to a field that was previously less explored by locals. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be involved in an industry where such chances are rare, allowing her to witness the entire process from early stages to gold production.

Managing director of Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd, Datuk Lo Fui Ming, emphasized the importance of training the local workforce through industrial training to ensure the sustainability of the industry. He highlighted the need for sharing technology and expertise as a catalyst for greater involvement of local people in the industry. He recalled the challenges he faced when starting the business due to the dominance of foreign workers and expressed his commitment to sharing knowledge and technology with Malaysians.

The company's achievements in local technological capability are noteworthy, with a gold recovery rate of up to 95 percent and the capacity to produce up to 20 kilograms of gold per month. Lo encouraged university students in related fields to apply for industrial training at the company, noting Sabah's strong potential in the mining sector with over 20 gold mining sites identified for development.

Meanwhile, the company's geology supervisor, Norfazilah Ramlan, with over 13 years of experience, noted that the mining industry in Sabah is regaining momentum, which has increased demand for skilled workers and opened up more opportunities for young people, including women. She pointed out the wide distribution of minerals in Sabah and the need for more investment to develop it sustainably.

Senior metallurgical engineer Nor Syahirah Rusdi highlighted the wide employment opportunities provided by the mining industry in Sabah, allowing locals to work closer to their families without needing to migrate elsewhere. With six years of experience, she noted that the sector offers opportunities in professional fields like engineering and geology, as well as jobs for technical workers. She emphasized that the industry's growth strengthens the local economy by creating more job opportunities across various skill levels.