No Rare Earth Mining in Forest Reserves Until Climate Change Bill, Says Johari

The government will not approve rare earth mining in gazetted forest reserves until the proposed Climate Change Bill is enacted, said acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Johari Abdul Ghani. “Once it has been finalised, it will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat… targeted after Budget 2026. While waiting, there are currently no rare earth mining activities in forest reserves,” he told Parliament. Johari also warned of past environmental damage, citing copper mining in Ranau, Sabah, where “not even fish could survive in the water.” He said ongoing studies aim to find safer methods to prevent leachate pollution.

Rare Earth Mining

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