All that glitters in Raub is cyanide

All that glitters in Raub is cyanide

Wong Pheak Zern | Jun 24, 09 4:10pm

Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman near Raub are facing a serious health and environment problem after a gold mine operator started using cyanide in the extraction method in February. Results of laboratory analysis of water samples collected by the Local Government, Environment and Health Committee on May 25 at the mine tailing pond showed that there was 0.03mg/L of cyanide. This is well above the recommended permissible level of below 0.2ppm (parts per million) set by the US Environment Protection Agency. The report also noted the presence of cyanide-like odour in the atmosphere. The villagers reportedly began experiencing headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation after the company, Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) started using cyanide in their operations. Since the committee's findings about a month ago, the villages have sought leave from the High Court to stop RAGM from continuing its operations. The High Court however, turned down the residents' applications on June 1. Last night, the villagers got together in Kuala Lumpur to voice their grievances and fears at a gathering organised by Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Speakers urged the villagers to continue with efforts to stop RAGM from using poisonous chemicals in the extraction process. Political analyst Tang Ah Chai, one of four speakers, said "this will be a long and difficult process, because we, as a group are fighting against those with great powers and high financial abilities". He said that the villagers could succeed in their fight as there have been similar cases worldwide where the people won their battles by not giving up. More than 300 people from around the country were at last night's talk to listen to the problems facing the Bukit Koman villagers. Deteriorating health conditions The villagers formed a Bukit Koman Action Committee in 2006 after they found out that RAGM had been given permission to use cyanide in their operations. When a pungent odour began to permeate the vicinity, about 200 villagers began complaining of various medical ailments. "About 20 of them have been admitted to hospitals for further treatment," said Wong Kin Hoong, chairperson of the action committee. Choong Siew Onn, the assemblyperson for Tras Pahang, said he had been summoned by the police and asked to produce evidence supporting the claim that the health and environment problems were caused by cyanide in gold mining. "They (the police) said that if I could not show any proof, I would be hauled up for lodging a false police report," he said. "Fortunately I was able to prove my claim by producing the complaints filed on the illnesses suffered by the villagers." Klang Valley residents face risk Tan Hui Chun, an environment and industrial safety consultant, said the use of cyanide could seriously harm the environment - not only in Bukit Koman but even the Klang Valley, threatening the health and safety of eight million people. Tan said RAGM would need to import a large quantity of the hazardous cyanide and then transport it from Port Klang to Raub, a distance of 144km. "It is possible for cyanide to leak during the transfer if sufficient precautions are not taken. And if that happens, water supplies in the Klang Valley will be affected," he said. She said a method known as cyanide leaching is used to remove the remaining 30 percent of fine gold particles after the debris has been mined. This method has to be handled with great care as it requires the storage and handling of cyanide and disposal of the by-products after the mining operation is completed. Tan said underground and lake water supplies would be severely polluted through seepage if advanced equipment is not used in the waste disposal process. "I doubt if RAGM is willing to invest a huge amount of money in purchasing high-tech equipment for waste disposal in Bukit Koman as there is not much gold particles left there," she added. She said RAGM should instruct the villagers on what needs to be done in the event that something goes awry in the handling and storage or if there if there is major cyanide leak. Tang added that cyanide use by RAGM should not be seen as a localised problem involving only Bukit Koman. "All we ask for is an unpolluted environment for all, so that people can lead happy and healthy lives. We are not just fighting for the benefits of Bukit Koman villagers, but for the benefits of all Malaysians," Tang said. Meanwhile, the Bukit Koman Action Commitee against Cyanide submitted a memorandum on behalf of the villagers to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T Murugiah, seeking government intervention. They want the government to "issue a stop work order immediately pending a comprehensive investigation to be conducted by an independent panel of experts".