One of the bancyanide movement pioneers ~ Mr. Woon was attacked by stroke last night and admitted to ICU. He is in coma now.
Dear all friends, please pray for him.
Of MACC, MACC and Cradle...
7 years ago
Another bancyanide committee member admitted to hospital
One of the bancyanide movement pioneers ~ Mr. Woon was attacked by stroke last night and admitted to ICU. He is in coma now.
Dear all friends, please pray for him.
BERNAMA:Federal Court Grants Leave To Appeal To Bukit Koman Residents
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman in Raub who claim to have suffered health problems from the use of cyanide in a gold mine in the vicinty, can continue on with their legal struggle for a pollution- free environment.
This follows a decision by a three-man Federal Court panel chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum to allow the residents' application for leave to appeal against a High Court's refusal to grant them permission to commence a judicial review.
They failed in their bid to obtain leave from the High Court on June 1 2009 to file a judicial review proceeding to challenge the Environment Director-General's decision to approve a preliminary environmental impact assessment (PEIA) report concerning the Bukit Koman gold mine which is located nearby their village.
Malanjum, who sat on the panel with Federal Court judges Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong and Datuk Ahmad Maarop, gave the nod on one legal question to be determined by the Federal Court.
The question of law was whether a court, in determining an application for extension of time to file a leave application, is required to consider the merits of the applicants' complaint set out in their leave application to commence a judicial review.
The High Court threw out the residents' leave application for a judicial review on grounds that there was an inordinate delay by them in filing the application and that they did not have good reasons for the court to grant an extension of time for them to file their application.
Order 53 Rule 6 of the Rules of the High Court 1980 provides that an application for leave for judicial review shall be made prompty and in any event within 40 days from the date when the grounds of the application first arose or when the decision was first communicated to the applicant.
The appellate court accepted the findings of the High Court and dismissed the residents' appeal on Aug 3 last year.
Outside the court, their lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said both the High Court and appellate court had held that the court would only look at the reasons for the delay in filing the application and not the merits of the complaint which precluded the public interest dimension.
The Environment Director-General approved the PEIA report on Jan 13, 1997. Via a letter dated Feb 21, 2008, the DG declined to acceed to the residents' request to review the PEIA and require Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGMSB) to provide a detailed one.
On March 21, 2008, four representatives of the residents, Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How and Mustapha Hussin (Mustapha passed away last night), filed leave to initiate a judicial review proceeding naming the Environment Director-General and RAGMSB.
The residents want the Environment DG to require RAGMSB to furnish a detailed EIA report as they claimed the preliminary EIA (PEIA) report submitted by the gold mining company on Aug 27, 1996 contained serious deficiencies.
They claimed the PEIA report omitted information on where and how treatment of gold mining waste should be disposed off, and also contained inadequate information on discharge of effluents.
The residents also alleged the PEIA report infringed on their fundamental rights to life and livelihood due to its omission on the facility's risks to public health and environment.
They also claimed that the PEIA preparation did not include public participation.
In their affidavit affirmed on May 12, 2009, the applicants alleged that in early February 2009, they encountered strong and noxious fumes several times a day, causing them to choke, suffer giddiness, shortness of breath, irritation to the eyes and lungs, nausea and body rashes.
Senior Federal Counsels Suzana Atan and Suhaila Haron represented the Enviroment Director-General while RAGMSB was represented by a team of lawyers led by Tan Sri Cecil Abraham.
-- BERNAMA
This follows a decision by a three-man Federal Court panel chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum to allow the residents' application for leave to appeal against a High Court's refusal to grant them permission to commence a judicial review.
They failed in their bid to obtain leave from the High Court on June 1 2009 to file a judicial review proceeding to challenge the Environment Director-General's decision to approve a preliminary environmental impact assessment (PEIA) report concerning the Bukit Koman gold mine which is located nearby their village.
Malanjum, who sat on the panel with Federal Court judges Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong and Datuk Ahmad Maarop, gave the nod on one legal question to be determined by the Federal Court.
The question of law was whether a court, in determining an application for extension of time to file a leave application, is required to consider the merits of the applicants' complaint set out in their leave application to commence a judicial review.
The High Court threw out the residents' leave application for a judicial review on grounds that there was an inordinate delay by them in filing the application and that they did not have good reasons for the court to grant an extension of time for them to file their application.
Order 53 Rule 6 of the Rules of the High Court 1980 provides that an application for leave for judicial review shall be made prompty and in any event within 40 days from the date when the grounds of the application first arose or when the decision was first communicated to the applicant.
The appellate court accepted the findings of the High Court and dismissed the residents' appeal on Aug 3 last year.
Outside the court, their lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said both the High Court and appellate court had held that the court would only look at the reasons for the delay in filing the application and not the merits of the complaint which precluded the public interest dimension.
The Environment Director-General approved the PEIA report on Jan 13, 1997. Via a letter dated Feb 21, 2008, the DG declined to acceed to the residents' request to review the PEIA and require Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGMSB) to provide a detailed one.
On March 21, 2008, four representatives of the residents, Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How and Mustapha Hussin (Mustapha passed away last night), filed leave to initiate a judicial review proceeding naming the Environment Director-General and RAGMSB.
The residents want the Environment DG to require RAGMSB to furnish a detailed EIA report as they claimed the preliminary EIA (PEIA) report submitted by the gold mining company on Aug 27, 1996 contained serious deficiencies.
They claimed the PEIA report omitted information on where and how treatment of gold mining waste should be disposed off, and also contained inadequate information on discharge of effluents.
The residents also alleged the PEIA report infringed on their fundamental rights to life and livelihood due to its omission on the facility's risks to public health and environment.
They also claimed that the PEIA preparation did not include public participation.
In their affidavit affirmed on May 12, 2009, the applicants alleged that in early February 2009, they encountered strong and noxious fumes several times a day, causing them to choke, suffer giddiness, shortness of breath, irritation to the eyes and lungs, nausea and body rashes.
Senior Federal Counsels Suzana Atan and Suhaila Haron represented the Enviroment Director-General while RAGMSB was represented by a team of lawyers led by Tan Sri Cecil Abraham.
-- BERNAMA
NST:Kg Bukit Koman residents get leave to appeal Read more: Kg Bukit Koman residents get leave to appeal
PUTRAJAYA: Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman in Raub who claim to have suffered health problems from the use of cyanide in a gold mine in the vicinty, can continue on with their legal struggle for a pollution- free environment.
This follows a decision by a three-man Federal Court panel chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum to allow the residents' application for leave to appeal against a High Court's refusal to grant them permission to commence a judicial review.
They failed in their bid to obtain leave from the High Court on June 1 2009 to file a judicial review proceeding to challenge the Environment Director-General's decision to approve a preliminary environmental impact assessment (PEIA) report concerning the Bukit Koman gold mine which is located nearby their village.
Malanjum, who sat on the panel with Federal Court judges Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong and Datuk Ahmad Maarop, gave the nod on one legal question to be determined by the Federal Court. The question of law was whether a court, in determining an application for extension of time to file a leave application, is required to consider the merits of the applicants' complaint set out in their leave application to commence a judicial review.
The High Court threw out the residents' leave application for a judicial review on grounds that there was an inordinate delay by them in filing the application and that they did not have good reasons for the court to grant an extension of time for them to file their application.
Order 53 Rule 6 of the Rules of the High Court 1980 provides that an application for leave for judicial review shall be made prompty and in any event within 40 days from the date when the grounds of the application first arose or when the decision was first communicated to the applicant.
The appellate court accepted the findings of the High Court and dismissed the residents' appeal on Aug 3 last year.
Outside the court, their lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said both the High Court and appellate court had held that the court would only look at the reasons for the delay in filing the application and not the merits of the complaint which precluded the public interest dimension.
The Environment Director-General approved the PEIA report on Jan 13, 1997. Via a letter dated Feb 21, 2008, the DG declined to acceed to the residents' request to review the PEIA and require Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGMSB) to provide a detailed one.
On March 21, 2008, four representatives of the residents, Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How and Mustapha Hussin (Mustapha passed away last night), filed leave to initiate a judicial review proceeding naming the Environment Director-General and RAGMSB.
The residents want the Environment DG to require RAGMSB to furnish a detailed EIA report as they claimed the preliminary EIA (PEIA) report submitted by the gold mining company on Aug 27, 1996 contained serious deficiencies.
They claimed the PEIA report omitted information on where and how treatment of gold mining waste should be disposed off, and also contained inadequate information on discharge of effluents.
The residents also alleged the PEIA report infringed on their fundamental rights to life and livelihood due to its omission on the facility's risks to public health and environment.
They also claimed that the PEIA preparation did not include public participation.
In their affidavit affirmed on May 12, 2009, the applicants alleged that in early February 2009, they encountered strong and noxious fumes several times a day, causing them to choke, suffer giddiness, shortness of breath, irritation to the eyes and lungs, nausea and body rashes.
Senior Federal Counsels Suzana Atan and Suhaila Haron represented the Enviroment Director-General while RAGMSB was represented by a team of lawyers led by Tan Sri Cecil Abraham. -- BERNAMA
Wild Asia Heroes - The Bukit Koman community
Wild Asia nominates the villagers of Bukit Koman as our first Wild Asia Hero. The 300-odd families have been fighting an uphill battle to protect their community and the environment from potential contamination by a gold mining facility in their village. JULES ONG reports.
Our first Wild Asia Heroes nomination goes to the Anti-Cyanide Committee of Bukit Koman. For two years, the Committee has led an on-going campaign to stop the usage of cyanide in gold mining in their village. Theirs is a story of courage and resilience in the face of formidable challenges. Wild Asia highlights their struggles in the hope that their story will offer inspiration and spur people to action.
Bukit Koman is a small village of 300 families. Most of the villagers are descendants of miners from Raub, the town just next to the village, once known as the "gold capital" of Malaya.
With the resurgence of gold price, the Raub Australian Gold Mining (RAGM) company had began a multi-million dollar operation using a new method to extract gold from tailings left behind from decades of conventional mining.
This method - carbon-in-leach - has an 80% efficacy rate of extracting gold, a far more effective but expensive way compared to shaft mining. It also carries more risk. According to the project's Environment Impact Assessment, 400 tonnes of sodium cyanide, a highly toxic compound is used in the facility every year. That translates to 1.5 tonnes a day!
What's worrying the villagers is that the facility is only 100 to 200 meters from the village and any spillage would be an environmental disaster.
According to the UNEP there have been 10 mining spills between 1985 and 2000 worldwide. The worst was in Romania, where 50 to 100 tonnes of cyanide spilled into the Danube water catchment killing tonnes of fish. Cyanide vapours could be seen hovering above the water surface for days.
Bukit Koman also sits in a water catchment area crisscrossed by many rivers that feed into the Klau Dam 13 km away. In a couple of year's time, this new dam will supply water to Selangor, the most populous state in Malaysia.
In March 2008, Dr Glen C. Miller of the University of Nevada and an expert in mining contamination visited Bukit Koman. After doing an investigation, he said the gold mining facility did not follow international standards of safety and is likely to cause long-term contamination.
Worried, the villagers organised themselves and set up the Bukit Koman Action Committee Against Cyanide. They have sent numerous letters of concern and memorandums to the company and the government, demanding for transparency in the mining operations and concrete safety measures in case of spillage.
In 2008, they collected 10,000 signatures voicing their objections to the usage of cyanide in the mining facility. They also mounted a legal challenge to stop the operations in their request for a judicial review of the Environmental Impact Assessment. But their application was quashed last year.
Their many requests for a dialogue with the company and the government who had approved the mining facility have all fallen on deaf ears. RAGM had begun its full operations using cyanide since February last year.
RAGM is a Malaysian company that is wholly owned by the Peninsular Gold Limited. It is listed in the London Stock Exchange and registered in Jersey, a semi-autonomous region under the British Crown. Jersey is also dubiously known as a tax haven.
The company's main shareholder is Andrew Kam whose father, Kam Mun Wah, is a veteran politician of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a component political party of the ruling government. Its other shareholders are the daughter of the Sultan of Pahang, Puteri Seri Lela Manja and her ex-husband, Mohd Moiz.
Despite tremendous odds, the villagers of Bukit Koman have shown great fortitude to fight for their rights - their right to information, to clean air and water, and their right to life.
Because of their determination in protecting the environment and their community's well being, a vision that Wild Asia shares, we are proud to honour them as Wild Asia Heroes.
Please join us!
Many of us wish to contribute our efforts in protecting our home land
by posting bancyanide logo and calling for help @ Facebook...
by wearing green when traveling to overseas...
by creating awareness no matter where they go...
by writing about this environmental issue in their blogs...
by participating every event held to show their supports...
they are willing to do anything for the smoothness of the event...Friend, are you ready to join us?
We can do even more to save our home land.
The gold price is tremendously high, our healths and environment are now been threatening.We have nothing more to lose!Please join us!
A meeting will be held in KL on 23-11-2009（Mon）@ 8PM.
Please send email to bancyanide@gmail.com if you are concern about the life and environment .
Freedom Film Fest 2009
Freedom Film Fest is a harvest of local and international documentary feature and short films dealing with the topic of human rights, social and environmental justice.
A film named 'Peace Cyanide Hill' which tell a story about cyanide mining in Bukit Koman, was one of the films screened in Freedom Film Fest 2009.
'Bukit Koman, situated in the heart of Raub in Pahang was once known to be the "gold capital" via the promising extraction of gold. In 2009, the gold mining company and its allies decided to extract the remaining gold, this time allegedly with the use of cyanide. Fearing for their lives and health, the villagers have lodged dissent against the alleged use of cyanide. Despite these concerns, the corporation, government and legal system have thus far ignored the pleas of the desperate villagers...'
We would like to convey our highest gratitude to the producer, Thilaga Sulathireh, and everybody who took part in making the film success. Thanks for your concern towards the environment and let our voices heard through the film.
A film named 'Peace Cyanide Hill' which tell a story about cyanide mining in Bukit Koman, was one of the films screened in Freedom Film Fest 2009.
'Bukit Koman, situated in the heart of Raub in Pahang was once known to be the "gold capital" via the promising extraction of gold. In 2009, the gold mining company and its allies decided to extract the remaining gold, this time allegedly with the use of cyanide. Fearing for their lives and health, the villagers have lodged dissent against the alleged use of cyanide. Despite these concerns, the corporation, government and legal system have thus far ignored the pleas of the desperate villagers...'
We would like to convey our highest gratitude to the producer, Thilaga Sulathireh, and everybody who took part in making the film success. Thanks for your concern towards the environment and let our voices heard through the film.
Mid Autumn Dinner held successfully
Mid Autumn Dinner was held successfully without any disruption by the police despite sudden change of the venue due to unforeseen circumstances.
Introduction of '1 Malaysia' by PM followed by variety mid autumn songs.
Dancing presentation at the beginning of the show.
～Negaraku～
Welcome speech by the chair person~Mr. Woon.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony by Pahang Exco member~
Dato' Ho Khai Mun
Opening ceremony speech.
"Pahang state government is very concern about cyanide mining matter,we are trying to solve it step by step."
Singing song with edited lyrics-Peak of the show!
《我愿意》
“嘟嘟”是一种很毒的东西，随风而行，
无声又无息出没在村里，转眼跑进我们身体，
我无法承受，特别是夜里，哦~它令我无法呼吸，
恨不得立即朝你狂奔去，可惜找不到你。。。（我别TAHAN）
我们求求你（x3），装置探测器，
只要你借出空气探测器，我们的村子有转机，
我们因为你(x3) ， 就快要断气，
只要你愿意借我们探测器，我真的很感激， 真的很感激有你！
《月亮圆》
现在的孩子不相信 家乡是安全的，
我们所呼吸 不再是新鲜和自由的空气，
当有一天啊 这悲剧真的上演，
亲爱的朋友们 你们可否告诉我，
我们的未来 何去何从？
月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家，
只有健康安全的家 流传千年。。。
《但愿人长久》
我们很忧愁，真的想爆头，
为何明明很危险，他们说很安全？
我有一个心愿，把它赶出家园，
从此不再辗转难眠，人人展笑颜，大家来团圆。
Bukit Koman Choir:《传灯》《把根留住》《我家在哪里》
Poetry：《把根留住。爱劳勿》
Harmonica presentation:《故乡》《榕树下》。
History of Raub~Emas!
Lantern riddles and 'story telling' by Ling Kek Mun.
《月亮代表我的心》sung by Mr.Tang.
Ms.Chen: "Nothing to talk about since we are not allow to do so...
Air and water monitoring is compulsory."
Lastly, Mr. Wong was requested to sing《汪洋中的一条船》。
汪洋中的一条船
船中装满血泪和血汗
不怕风不怕巨浪
勇敢地向前勇敢向前闯
汪洋中的一条船
它为了那艰苦的希望
努力闯克服万难
流尽了多少的折磨血汗
啊它虽然它虽然
受尽狂风受尽风霜
啊它奋斗它奋斗
受尽折磨受尽凄凉
不怕那道路长
不怕那千万难
就算是上刀山也要闯
汪洋中的一条船
船中装满血泪和血汗
不怕风不怕巨浪
勇敢地向前勇敢向前闯
汪洋中的一条船
它为了那艰苦的希望
努力闯克服万难
流尽了多少的折磨血汗
啊它克服它克服
饥寒交迫追求理想
啊它忍受它忍受
爬在地上受尽创伤
那怕是风霜苦
那怕是刀上刺
也要为它理想开创幸福
p/s: Many villagers asked:
"Why do we not allowed to mention even the word CYANIDE?"
IS THIS WHAT PM MEANT NATION UNDER THE BEAUTIFUL SLOGAN OF '1 MALAYSIA'?"
Introduction of '1 Malaysia' by PM followed by variety mid autumn songs.Dancing presentation at the beginning of the show.
～Negaraku～
Welcome speech by the chair person~Mr. Woon.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony by Pahang Exco member~Dato' Ho Khai Mun
Opening ceremony speech."Pahang state government is very concern about cyanide mining matter,we are trying to solve it step by step."
Singing song with edited lyrics-Peak of the show!
《我愿意》
“嘟嘟”是一种很毒的东西，随风而行，
无声又无息出没在村里，转眼跑进我们身体，
我无法承受，特别是夜里，哦~它令我无法呼吸，
恨不得立即朝你狂奔去，可惜找不到你。。。（我别TAHAN）
我们求求你（x3），装置探测器，
只要你借出空气探测器，我们的村子有转机，
我们因为你(x3) ， 就快要断气，
只要你愿意借我们探测器，我真的很感激， 真的很感激有你！
《月亮圆》
现在的孩子不相信 家乡是安全的，
我们所呼吸 不再是新鲜和自由的空气，
当有一天啊 这悲剧真的上演，
亲爱的朋友们 你们可否告诉我，
我们的未来 何去何从？
月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家，
只有健康安全的家 流传千年。。。
《但愿人长久》
我们很忧愁，真的想爆头，
为何明明很危险，他们说很安全？
我有一个心愿，把它赶出家园，
从此不再辗转难眠，人人展笑颜，大家来团圆。
Bukit Koman Choir:《传灯》《把根留住》《我家在哪里》（Conducted by 林铭伟老师）
Poetry：《把根留住。爱劳勿》
Harmonica presentation:《故乡》《榕树下》。
History of Raub~Emas!
Lantern riddles and 'story telling' by Ling Kek Mun.
《月亮代表我的心》sung by Mr.Tang.Master Shi Ru Chi and his slogan:
‘一个你，一个我，一个武吉公满，一个劳勿，一个彭亨州，
一个大马，同一颗心，同抗山埃，保卫家园。”
Funny story telling by Mr. Tan.
一个大马，同一颗心，同抗山埃，保卫家园。”
Funny story telling by Mr. Tan.
Ms.Chen: "Nothing to talk about since we are not allow to do so...Air and water monitoring is compulsory."
Lastly, Mr. Wong was requested to sing《汪洋中的一条船》。
汪洋中的一条船
船中装满血泪和血汗
不怕风不怕巨浪
勇敢地向前勇敢向前闯
汪洋中的一条船
它为了那艰苦的希望
努力闯克服万难
流尽了多少的折磨血汗
啊它虽然它虽然
受尽狂风受尽风霜
啊它奋斗它奋斗
受尽折磨受尽凄凉
不怕那道路长
不怕那千万难
就算是上刀山也要闯
汪洋中的一条船
船中装满血泪和血汗
不怕风不怕巨浪
勇敢地向前勇敢向前闯
汪洋中的一条船
它为了那艰苦的希望
努力闯克服万难
流尽了多少的折磨血汗
啊它克服它克服
饥寒交迫追求理想
啊它忍受它忍受
爬在地上受尽创伤
那怕是风霜苦
那怕是刀上刺
也要为它理想开创幸福
p/s: Many villagers asked:
"Why do we not allowed to mention even the word CYANIDE?"
IS THIS WHAT PM MEANT NATION UNDER THE BEAUTIFUL SLOGAN OF '1 MALAYSIA'?"
Lantern Festival Bukit Koman
About 200 villagers of Bukit Koman were celebrating Lantern Festival on 3-10-2009.
We began our lantern walk from Balai Raya Bukit Koman to gold mine area, then went through "huo che lu bei", carrying colourful lanterns with the lantern lights flickering in the darkness.
Both kids and adults had fun!
Creative villagers shown their lanterns which made of disposed styrofoam lunch box.
Villagers enjoyed the foods and moon cakes served.
Finally, we were forced to dismiss at 8:45pm.
We began our lantern walk from Balai Raya Bukit Koman to gold mine area, then went through "huo che lu bei", carrying colourful lanterns with the lantern lights flickering in the darkness.
Both kids and adults had fun!
Creative villagers shown their lanterns which made of disposed styrofoam lunch box.
Villagers enjoyed the foods and moon cakes served.Villagers who like singing prensented few songs during the gathering. What a delightful lantern festival in Bukit Koman!
Unfortunately, few Peronda cars and 30 over polices came and advised us to dismiss as
the villagers do not grant any permit for the lantern festival celebration!
Unfortunately, few Peronda cars and 30 over polices came and advised us to dismiss as
the villagers do not grant any permit for the lantern festival celebration!
Finally, we were forced to dismiss at 8:45pm.
Raub regaining lustre as gold mine under RM60m investment
By Gan Yen Kuan fd@bizedge.com
Raub, once a thriving gold mine in Pahang, is set to regain its lustre under London-listed Peninsular Gold Ltd’s RM60 million investment to build a hi-tech gold processing plant.
The Malaysian-controlled company, via its unit Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd, has mining rights on a 202ha of land in Raub, with proven tailings reserves of 180,000 ounces.
Peninsular Gold chairman and chief executive Datuk Seri Andrew Kam said on March 2 the company’s target was to extract 100,000 ounces of gold a year. There are also plans for further RM150-million investment.
He was speaking to reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant. The RM60-million plant will be financed from borrowings and equity and it can process 1.1 million tonnes of tailings to produce 25,000 ounces of gold a year.
The plant, scheduled to be completed in 12 months, will use the carbon-in-leach (CIL) technology to extract gold from tailings – residues left behind by earlier miners who used traditional gravity methods of gold extraction.
Kam said the CIL technology, which had been used worldwide over 30 years, enable miners to recover up to 85% of gold from the tailings compared with 15% under the traditional gravity method.
According to World Gold Council, the world produced 2,467 tonnes of gold in 2006, while total demand stood at 3,362 tonnes. Gold prices are now hovering around US$660 (RM2315) per ounce.
Peninsular Gold posted a net loss of 1.44 million sterling pounds (RM9.88 million) for the 14-month financial period ended June 30, 2006. Kam said he hoped the company would start making profits in two-and-a-half years once the plant starts operations.
He said Peninsular Gold had been working with the Pahang State Development Corporation over the past 10 years to unearth for more gold mines in the state, including the Bentong-Raub area.
“We are very confident there is a lot of gold. We just need to continue our exploration. Proven reserves are 180,000 ounces, which we are going to mine immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the investments by Peninsular Gold would create a spin-off effect for the district’s economy.
Raub produced over one million ounces of gold in the past 100 years. Royalties collected by the state government from gold mining companies totalled RM6.15 million in 2005 and RM11.62 million in 2006. There are 44 mining certificate holders in the state, 31 of which are for gold mining.
Raub, once a thriving gold mine in Pahang, is set to regain its lustre under London-listed Peninsular Gold Ltd’s RM60 million investment to build a hi-tech gold processing plant.
The Malaysian-controlled company, via its unit Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd, has mining rights on a 202ha of land in Raub, with proven tailings reserves of 180,000 ounces.
Peninsular Gold chairman and chief executive Datuk Seri Andrew Kam said on March 2 the company’s target was to extract 100,000 ounces of gold a year. There are also plans for further RM150-million investment.
He was speaking to reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant. The RM60-million plant will be financed from borrowings and equity and it can process 1.1 million tonnes of tailings to produce 25,000 ounces of gold a year.
The plant, scheduled to be completed in 12 months, will use the carbon-in-leach (CIL) technology to extract gold from tailings – residues left behind by earlier miners who used traditional gravity methods of gold extraction.
Kam said the CIL technology, which had been used worldwide over 30 years, enable miners to recover up to 85% of gold from the tailings compared with 15% under the traditional gravity method.
According to World Gold Council, the world produced 2,467 tonnes of gold in 2006, while total demand stood at 3,362 tonnes. Gold prices are now hovering around US$660 (RM2315) per ounce.
Peninsular Gold posted a net loss of 1.44 million sterling pounds (RM9.88 million) for the 14-month financial period ended June 30, 2006. Kam said he hoped the company would start making profits in two-and-a-half years once the plant starts operations.
He said Peninsular Gold had been working with the Pahang State Development Corporation over the past 10 years to unearth for more gold mines in the state, including the Bentong-Raub area.
“We are very confident there is a lot of gold. We just need to continue our exploration. Proven reserves are 180,000 ounces, which we are going to mine immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the investments by Peninsular Gold would create a spin-off effect for the district’s economy.
Raub produced over one million ounces of gold in the past 100 years. Royalties collected by the state government from gold mining companies totalled RM6.15 million in 2005 and RM11.62 million in 2006. There are 44 mining certificate holders in the state, 31 of which are for gold mining.
BERNAMA:Bukit Koman Residents Apply For Judicial Review
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Residents of Kampung Bukit Koman, Raub, Pahang yesterday filed an application for a judicial review at the High Court here on the decision by the Director-General of Environment which approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposal for gold mining activity at Bukit Koman.
The EIA report was submitted by the Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGMSB) on Aug 27 1996 and approved by the Director-General of Environment on Jan 13 1997, but according to the Action Committee Against the Use of Cyanide in the mining operations at Bukit Koman, the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman were not assured that the use of the cyanide would not affect their health and pollute their environment.
The application for the judicial review was filed by four representatives of the residents comprising Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How and Mustapha Hussin at the High Court Registrar's Office (Appeals and Special Powers Division) through the legal firm Messrs Meena Raman & Partners and the applicants named the Director-General of Environment and RAGMSB as the first and second respondents respectively.
They are seeking for a declaration that the EIA report for the proposed mining and extraction of gold from the old mine at Bukit Koman which was submitted by RAGMSB to the Director-General of Environment did not meet the requirement and regulations outlined in Section 34A of the Environment Quality Act 1974 (AKAS).
Among other things, they are also seeking for a certiorary order to revoke the decision of the first defendant dated Jan 13 1997 which approved the EIA report, besides seeking for a declaration that the decision of the first respondent on Feb 21 which rejected the application by the action committee so that RAGMSB was required to prepare and provide a new and detailed EIA report was unfair and unreasonable.
-- BERNAMA
The EIA report was submitted by the Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGMSB) on Aug 27 1996 and approved by the Director-General of Environment on Jan 13 1997, but according to the Action Committee Against the Use of Cyanide in the mining operations at Bukit Koman, the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman were not assured that the use of the cyanide would not affect their health and pollute their environment.
The application for the judicial review was filed by four representatives of the residents comprising Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How and Mustapha Hussin at the High Court Registrar's Office (Appeals and Special Powers Division) through the legal firm Messrs Meena Raman & Partners and the applicants named the Director-General of Environment and RAGMSB as the first and second respondents respectively.
They are seeking for a declaration that the EIA report for the proposed mining and extraction of gold from the old mine at Bukit Koman which was submitted by RAGMSB to the Director-General of Environment did not meet the requirement and regulations outlined in Section 34A of the Environment Quality Act 1974 (AKAS).
Among other things, they are also seeking for a certiorary order to revoke the decision of the first defendant dated Jan 13 1997 which approved the EIA report, besides seeking for a declaration that the decision of the first respondent on Feb 21 which rejected the application by the action committee so that RAGMSB was required to prepare and provide a new and detailed EIA report was unfair and unreasonable.
-- BERNAMA
Call for probe into gold mine
![[1.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OfyMYfB7bs5GtDotBpHoW7P_XThjluvNplhQihKylNdaq6m7jPw4UumFAq7CTb-1ktsGIdL75BIJXY128owiEsKpmJbmGCcuZIdqV5rB6QsC0gkw3bgxEJojqilXrcsbK98Td3REEjVx/s1600/1.jpg)
▲Choong Siew Onn claims the company had gone against government requirements
PUTRAJAYA: About 50 villagers living in and around Bukit Koman village in Pahang yesterday complained to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission about possible abuses in connection with the operation of a gold mine.
They wanted the MACC to investigate why the authorities did not take action against a gold mining company in Raub for allegedly using dangerous chemicals.
The residents turned up at the MACC office at 10am, carrying a banner protesting the use of cyanide in the gold mining process.
Among the 50 was Tras assemblyman Choong Siew Onn who claimed the company had gone against government requirements by using chemicals that could jeopardise the health of villagers.
"Despite numerous objections and appeals to the 'bigwigs', nothing has been done, which leads us to believe there is some foul play involved," said Choong.
Teratai assemblyman Janice Lee was also present.
One of the villagers, Raja Puji Raja Abd Hamid, claimed: "Although it has only been two months since the company has been operational, we have noticed that the small fish and shellfish have disappeared."
Raja Puji, who is Pas Raub division head, said many residents had complained of a pungent stench and itchiness of the skin.
Mining is safe, Bukit Koman residents told
By SIMON KHOO
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/5/25/southneast/3952210&sec=southneast
RAUB: Bukit Koman residents can rest assured that mining activities near their homes will not affect their health.
State Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the relevant authorities had been directed to monitor the area closely and furnish the state with reports from time to time.
Hoh said the task had been given to the Environment, Health, Minerals and Geoscience departments.
“Geologists will check the mining site every week. Every three months, a medical team will carry out health inspections on residents living in the vicinity.
“The team will take water samples from the area to ensure it is pollution-free,” he said after chairing a meeting with representatives of the three departments here recently.
Hoh said the reports would be discussed during the weekly exco meetings and that precautionary measures had been put in place to safeguard the health of residents.
He said the latest report showed that 60 houses with 246 occupants had been inspected and declared safe.
Water samples taken in April showed no signs of contamination, while early this month, health authorities detected 0.03mg/l of cyanide, which was within the permissible level, he said.
Teras assemblyman Choong Siew Onn said a group of residents had filed a suit against the Environment Department and the mining firm.
The issue had put the authorities in a fix as the residents had staged numerous protests against the firm for using cyanide in the mining activities.
On April 28, a vocal protester was found dead in his durian orchard and this raised suspicions, leading to the lodging of a police report.
A post-mortem by Raub Hospital revealed that Chong Sow Peng, 63, had died of a heart attack, allaying fears that he had succumbed to cyanide poisoning.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/5/25/southneast/3952210&sec=southneast
RAUB: Bukit Koman residents can rest assured that mining activities near their homes will not affect their health.
State Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the relevant authorities had been directed to monitor the area closely and furnish the state with reports from time to time.
Hoh said the task had been given to the Environment, Health, Minerals and Geoscience departments.
“Geologists will check the mining site every week. Every three months, a medical team will carry out health inspections on residents living in the vicinity.
“The team will take water samples from the area to ensure it is pollution-free,” he said after chairing a meeting with representatives of the three departments here recently.
Hoh said the reports would be discussed during the weekly exco meetings and that precautionary measures had been put in place to safeguard the health of residents.
He said the latest report showed that 60 houses with 246 occupants had been inspected and declared safe.
Water samples taken in April showed no signs of contamination, while early this month, health authorities detected 0.03mg/l of cyanide, which was within the permissible level, he said.
Teras assemblyman Choong Siew Onn said a group of residents had filed a suit against the Environment Department and the mining firm.
The issue had put the authorities in a fix as the residents had staged numerous protests against the firm for using cyanide in the mining activities.
On April 28, a vocal protester was found dead in his durian orchard and this raised suspicions, leading to the lodging of a police report.
A post-mortem by Raub Hospital revealed that Chong Sow Peng, 63, had died of a heart attack, allaying fears that he had succumbed to cyanide poisoning.
THIRD EYE: Poisonous gold, ungrateful bloggers and pundits
Malay Mail
GOLD it is and it will surely glitter but the risk is too much for one small community. According to media reports, "the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman in Raub, who claimed to have suffered health problems from the use of cyanide in the Bukit Koman gold mine project, today failed to get leave for a judicial review to stop the project".
Counsel for the residents explained that the judgement was based on the failure of the residents to fIle their complaint within 40 days after the Environmental Impact Assessment report was issued. The residents feel that the report does not comply with environmental laws.
Can this small community beat the big company? Stayed tuned.
Counsel for the residents explained that the judgement was based on the failure of the residents to fIle their complaint within 40 days after the Environmental Impact Assessment report was issued. The residents feel that the report does not comply with environmental laws.
Can this small community beat the big company? Stayed tuned.
Explanation Needs To Be Given To Bukit Koman Residents
Raub,Pahang was once the largest gold-mine site in the country.
The gold-mine site in Raub is situated at a new village known as Bukit Koman. During the 1900's era, Bukit Koman experienced an era of remarkable progress due to the gold-mine development in the area. At the end of the gold mine era during the 1960's, Bukit Koman faced obstacles in its local development. This place is a new village which exudes customs and traditions, and native culture, and emphasized a common social communication of local residents since the past decade.
In the year 2007, an international invester and, once again resumed gold mining activities without giving notice and informing the local residents. The problem now is not mining but the use of toxic materials especially cyanide in the mining process.
The relevant authorities did not take the necessary precautions to explain to the residents about the ill effects of cyanide which is harmful to human beings and the natural environment. The local residents discovered the problem of cyanide by searching for and collecting information on their own effort.
At the same time time, the local residents became aware that this problem could become a serious threat, which may poison the whole village. After which they formed a committee which protested against the use of cyanide in local mining and searched for various solutions and used proper channels to voice their grievances which needed help from outside.
The local residents are not against development as such, and progress brought about by mining but, several questions that follow frighten them.
1. Every kind of industry should be situated at least more than 5 km away from residential areas. However, the site of Bukit Koman gold mining is situated about one main road away from the residences of local people and not 10 km from their homes. How could certification be issued when the gold mining location does not have a clear buffer zone from the residential quarters, shops and schools. The mining location uses 1.5 tons of toxic chemical materials every day.
2. There are clear examples concerning incidents of toxic material leakage from mining locations in foreign countries. In Indonesia , a case of mercury leakage happened in Buyat, which caused 1,000 local residents who lived in 6 different villages to suffer the dangerous effects of poison caused by toxic materials. The Indonesian Government in the end ordered all local residents to evacuate from the affected areas. In the USA, an incident of cyanide leakage also accurred in Colorado. This particular incident caused the death of all marine creatures within a radius of 27 km. A case of cyanide leakage and environmental pollution could also occur in USA, which is a developed nation; what more in Malaysia, a country that is not yet designated as a developed nation, where there are doubts whether it can be assured that cyanide will be used in a safe manner?
3.The local residents had contacted the relevant authorities and, the latter replied that the use of cyanide in mining is safe if the management, production and manufacturing process is well run and supervised. But the relevant authority cannot guarantee the safety of the residents by giving a reply like that. The safety policy and monitoring systems that are applied has never been set out by the relevant authorities. If the safety of the residents is guaranteed, why don’t the authorities allow the local residents to visit the gold mine location to further understand the safety precautions it employs so as have an assurance of their safety.
For the last 2 years, the authorities still have neither supplied information nor given any explanation regarding questions forwarded by the concerned residents of Bukit Koman.
Submissions of memorandums, face to face discussions, holding rallies and open vocal opposition at public places, including whatever ways that are used by the local residents have all been exhausted.
Last year,the local residents decided to challenge the approval of the authority regarding the use of cyanide in gold mining in Bukit Koman and, filed an application for leave for judicial review of the EIA (Enviromental Impact Assessment) that was approved in 1997. However, the High Court did not allow the application after conducting a hearing which took more than one year. The reason given by the High Court was that the application made by the local residents of Bukit Koman was late because the Department of Environment (DOE) had approved the EIA in 1997. The court did not accept the arguments of the residents that they were unaware of the approval of the EIA until only recently, and that they could not file the application earlier as they required expert reports on the contents of the EIA. The High Court’s rejection of the residents’ application has crashed their hopes. However, they refuse to give up and have filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The residents are now faced with many obstacles that concern environmental pollution which will seriously affect their lives and the health of their immediate families.
This case is seen and is connected to not only an issue that involves the daily livelihood of local residents but also involves the issue of the natural environment and basic human rights of each individual. Every strata of society cannot brush aside this case and , most important of all, the government should take proper steps to enrich and protect the livelihood of its citizens.
The final hope of the local residents is receiving help from the government. As a government that places the interest of its citizens first, it must carry out its responsibility to ensure the well-being of the people, besides emphasizing progress and national economic development and, safe-guarding the priorities and safety of its citizens.
Under the "people first" policy which was brought forward by the new Prime Minister, it is hoped that the government will treatthe utmost seriousness and take appropriate actions at the same time to resolve this issue, as explanations to the 3 questions brought forward by the local citizens of Bukit Koman.
A safe place to live in, a lasting peace and good health for a family and the next generation after it, are all that are hoped for and yearned by each citizen.
The gold-mine site in Raub is situated at a new village known as Bukit Koman. During the 1900's era, Bukit Koman experienced an era of remarkable progress due to the gold-mine development in the area. At the end of the gold mine era during the 1960's, Bukit Koman faced obstacles in its local development. This place is a new village which exudes customs and traditions, and native culture, and emphasized a common social communication of local residents since the past decade.
In the year 2007, an international invester and, once again resumed gold mining activities without giving notice and informing the local residents. The problem now is not mining but the use of toxic materials especially cyanide in the mining process.
The relevant authorities did not take the necessary precautions to explain to the residents about the ill effects of cyanide which is harmful to human beings and the natural environment. The local residents discovered the problem of cyanide by searching for and collecting information on their own effort.
At the same time time, the local residents became aware that this problem could become a serious threat, which may poison the whole village. After which they formed a committee which protested against the use of cyanide in local mining and searched for various solutions and used proper channels to voice their grievances which needed help from outside.
The local residents are not against development as such, and progress brought about by mining but, several questions that follow frighten them.
1. Every kind of industry should be situated at least more than 5 km away from residential areas. However, the site of Bukit Koman gold mining is situated about one main road away from the residences of local people and not 10 km from their homes. How could certification be issued when the gold mining location does not have a clear buffer zone from the residential quarters, shops and schools. The mining location uses 1.5 tons of toxic chemical materials every day.
2. There are clear examples concerning incidents of toxic material leakage from mining locations in foreign countries. In Indonesia , a case of mercury leakage happened in Buyat, which caused 1,000 local residents who lived in 6 different villages to suffer the dangerous effects of poison caused by toxic materials. The Indonesian Government in the end ordered all local residents to evacuate from the affected areas. In the USA, an incident of cyanide leakage also accurred in Colorado. This particular incident caused the death of all marine creatures within a radius of 27 km. A case of cyanide leakage and environmental pollution could also occur in USA, which is a developed nation; what more in Malaysia, a country that is not yet designated as a developed nation, where there are doubts whether it can be assured that cyanide will be used in a safe manner?
3.The local residents had contacted the relevant authorities and, the latter replied that the use of cyanide in mining is safe if the management, production and manufacturing process is well run and supervised. But the relevant authority cannot guarantee the safety of the residents by giving a reply like that. The safety policy and monitoring systems that are applied has never been set out by the relevant authorities. If the safety of the residents is guaranteed, why don’t the authorities allow the local residents to visit the gold mine location to further understand the safety precautions it employs so as have an assurance of their safety.
For the last 2 years, the authorities still have neither supplied information nor given any explanation regarding questions forwarded by the concerned residents of Bukit Koman.
Submissions of memorandums, face to face discussions, holding rallies and open vocal opposition at public places, including whatever ways that are used by the local residents have all been exhausted.
Last year,the local residents decided to challenge the approval of the authority regarding the use of cyanide in gold mining in Bukit Koman and, filed an application for leave for judicial review of the EIA (Enviromental Impact Assessment) that was approved in 1997. However, the High Court did not allow the application after conducting a hearing which took more than one year. The reason given by the High Court was that the application made by the local residents of Bukit Koman was late because the Department of Environment (DOE) had approved the EIA in 1997. The court did not accept the arguments of the residents that they were unaware of the approval of the EIA until only recently, and that they could not file the application earlier as they required expert reports on the contents of the EIA. The High Court’s rejection of the residents’ application has crashed their hopes. However, they refuse to give up and have filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The residents are now faced with many obstacles that concern environmental pollution which will seriously affect their lives and the health of their immediate families.
This case is seen and is connected to not only an issue that involves the daily livelihood of local residents but also involves the issue of the natural environment and basic human rights of each individual. Every strata of society cannot brush aside this case and , most important of all, the government should take proper steps to enrich and protect the livelihood of its citizens.
The final hope of the local residents is receiving help from the government. As a government that places the interest of its citizens first, it must carry out its responsibility to ensure the well-being of the people, besides emphasizing progress and national economic development and, safe-guarding the priorities and safety of its citizens.
Under the "people first" policy which was brought forward by the new Prime Minister, it is hoped that the government will treatthe utmost seriousness and take appropriate actions at the same time to resolve this issue, as explanations to the 3 questions brought forward by the local citizens of Bukit Koman.
A safe place to live in, a lasting peace and good health for a family and the next generation after it, are all that are hoped for and yearned by each citizen.
Why Start Operation in 2009 but not 1997?
Gold Price From 1999 to 2009
http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html
Why AIM LSE but not KLSE?
Peninsular Gold Limited was incorporated in April 2005 in Jersey (registration number:89895) and listed on AIM, London Stock Exchange on 23rd June 2005 (EPI code:PGL).
The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, allowing smaller companies to float shares with a more flexible regulatory system than is applicable to the Main Market. The AIM was launched in 1995 and has raised almost £24 billion for more than 2,200 companies. Flexibility is provided by less regulation and no requirements for capitalization or number of shares issued. Some companies have since moved on to join the Main Market, although in the last few years, significantly more companies transferred from the Main Market to the AIM (The AIM has significant tax advantages for investors, as well as less regulatory burden for the companies themselves). In 2005, 40 companies moved directly from the Main Market to the AIM, while only two companies moved from the AIM to the Main Market.
The AIM has also started to become an international exchange, often due to its low-regulatory burden, especially in relation to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (though only a quarter of AIM-listed companies would qualify to list on a U.S. stock exchange even prior to passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). As of December 2005 over 270 foreign companies had been admitted to the Alternative Investment Market.
Criticism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_Investment_Market
The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, allowing smaller companies to float shares with a more flexible regulatory system than is applicable to the Main Market. The AIM was launched in 1995 and has raised almost £24 billion for more than 2,200 companies. Flexibility is provided by less regulation and no requirements for capitalization or number of shares issued. Some companies have since moved on to join the Main Market, although in the last few years, significantly more companies transferred from the Main Market to the AIM (The AIM has significant tax advantages for investors, as well as less regulatory burden for the companies themselves). In 2005, 40 companies moved directly from the Main Market to the AIM, while only two companies moved from the AIM to the Main Market.
The AIM has also started to become an international exchange, often due to its low-regulatory burden, especially in relation to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (though only a quarter of AIM-listed companies would qualify to list on a U.S. stock exchange even prior to passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). As of December 2005 over 270 foreign companies had been admitted to the Alternative Investment Market.
Criticism
"Casino" environment
In March 2007, U.S. securities regulator Roel Campos suggested that AIM's rules for share trading have created a market like a "casino". Campos reportedly said: "I'm concerned that 30% of issuers that list on AIM are gone in a year. That feels like a casino to me and I believe that investors will treat it as such." The comment resulted in several angry retorts, including one from the LSE, which controls AIM, pointing out that the number of companies that go into liquidation or administration in a year is actually fewer than 2%.
AIM has since issued new rules requiring that listed companies maintain a website.
Langbar International Limited Fraud
AIM has come under additional criticism for allowing Langbar International to be listed. At £375 million ($750m) Langbar is the biggest share fraud on the Exchange to date. It is presently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office and the City of London Police. It was discovered in November 2005, that Langbar had none of the assets it declared at listing and this was due in part to the failure of the Nomad (Nominated Adviser) to carry out Due Diligence and the Exchange failing to ensure that the AIM rules had been complied with. After the fraud was uncovered, the AIM changed the rules for Nomads in 2006 and on 19 October 2007 they fined Nabarro Wells £250,000 ($512,500)"Historic Currency Conversion" DCERATES.com 19 October 2007, and publicly censured them for breaches of the AIM rules
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