Raub gold mine is safe, says Yen Yen

what you think? Raub gold mine is safe, says Yen Yen

Tarani Palani | Jun 27, 09 12:44pm

Raub MP Ng Yen Yen today said that there is no cause for concern for the villagers of Bukit Koman adding that she had already looked into the matter three years ago. MCPX “I met the residents, I met the committee, I brought up the specialist to see them, everything had been done (three years ago),” She added that she had maintained her silence on the matter because when “people refuse to listen to scientific facts, one cannot talk reason”. Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman are facing health and environment problems after a gold mine operator started using cyanide in the extraction method in February. The villagers reportedly began experiencing headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation after the company, Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) began using cyanide in their operations. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, T Murugiah, on Thursday had given the green light to RAGM for the usage of cyanide in the mining process. Ng said that the matter was closed with Murugiah’s statement. She said despite her consultation with the residents, “they still went on and on and on”. Environmental hazards “First, they brought some environmentalist, and spoke about the environmental hazards. Then, they focused on health issues. I have already spoken to the hospital in Raub and there are no cases (caused by cyanide effects)” Citing an example of the resident’s unyielding attitude, she said that she had taken the residents to Banjong in order to observe a gold mine there. There were various live forms around the area such as fish and plants. “There were some fish in the area. If there are traces of cyanide, the fish will die first. But the fish were still there.” When Ng had pointed this out to the residents, they had answered: “(We think) the fish were just placed there (a moment ago), as a gimmick to mislead the residents.” The Star had reported on Thursday that during Murugiah’s meeting at the state Public Complaints Bureau headquarters in Teruntum complex on Thursday, a few opposition representatives were present rather than the affected residents themselves. Responding to this, Ng asked why there was a need to politicise a scientific matter. When pressed further on the matter, she asked journalists to speak to the affected residents themselves and suggested they do their own neutral research.

THAT WAS REALLY FAST!

THAT WAS REALLY FAST!

Early this week some residents of Bukit Koman sent a memorandum to Deputy Minister Murugiah on their fear of cyanide poisoning. Today, Malaysia Insider reported that Murugiah said that it was OK for the Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) to carry on their business as the DOE gave the green light. But I remember that the people wanted a DEIA and not even an EIA report. (

“We urge the government to scrutinise the developer’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report in full and for this document to be released to residents and the public.”)

A doctor seemed to brush aside as one of those things, complainst by the residentsof side effects that they have been experiencing since February.

Earlier villagers of Bukit Koman in Raub failed in their bid to stop a goldmine from carrying out its activities which were causing environmental damages and health concerns.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Lau Bee Lan dismissed their application on the grounds that the application was made out of time.

"We have nothing else to do but wait to die," said some of the residents who packed the court room.

I am suggesting that Senator Murugiah take another serious look at this impending danger. He should demand for a DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. (DEIA) The danger may not be so apparent now but the villagers LIVE there and they will continue to be there. It is the future we must WORRY about.

SO HOW NOW MURU?

Read more HERE

Raub, Pahang : Gold for me, cyanide for you...

Friday, June 26, 2009

Raub, Pahang : Gold for me, cyanide for you...

"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" - Tan Hui Chun (Environment and safety consultant)

"Hasil kajian Kementerian Kesihatan mengenai tahap kesihatan
penduduk sekitar kawasan itu, menunjukkan tiada kesihatan penduduk terjejas akibat bahan kimia sianida." - T Muruhiah (Timbalan Menteri, Jabatan Perdana Menteri)

1. Zorro unmasked started probing on this a few weeks back and Malaysiakini reported on 25th June 2009 that Murugiah announced that the health of 3,000 residents of Bukit Koman, Raub is not in danger of cyanide poisoning. That is fast when Bernama broke the news on 23rd June 2009 quoting Murugiah's pledge that he will investigate the matter.
   
2. I didn't say this but I remember in one movie...

   "Look, I don't know shit about shit but I know right from wrong!" - Erin Brockovich

3. Just because Bukit Koman's residents are simple folks in out of town Raub does not give the license for Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) to do what they pleased.
4. The residents had listed their complaints of :-
   
   • Cyanide-like odour in the place;
   • Headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation;
   • noise pollution etc
     
5. Now, let us go back to the reports and see what Murugiah said. On noise, Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) reported that they measure noise produce by RAGM at 48.7 Db which is lower the allowed 55 Db.
6. Let's say that the readings are correct. When is the readings taken? Is RAGM operating at normal production during the readings? How far are the sound meters placed? Is it aimed at the source (noise) ? What is the height of the meter? Who witness the tests? Are the results independently verified ? Are the sound meters calibrated?
   
7. On cyanide issue, this is no joking matter. Cambodia and Vietnam have cases of cyanide poisoning in rivers where the effects is 10 years down the line. In certain parts of Cambodia, the natural cyanide caused cancer since there is no proper water treatment system.
8. In history, there is questions whether Napoleon Bonarparte died of arsenic poisoning. Even in Malaysia, the one time Deputy Prime Minister also accused someone of administering him with cyanide poisoning. What this tells you is that cyanide poisoning is difficult to detect and if it happens in Bukit Koman, what hope is there that the authorities will trace down the culprits? The most taht will be done will be mass relocation of the population on some pretentious issue like SARS, maybe?
9. About headache, the report mentioned that 93 are sampled and out of 93 samplings, 6 claimed headache. That will be 6.5%. Is that normal for Malaysians? Is it a normal standard? If it is, then all is well and fine. If not, then what has the Jabatan Kesihatan has to say about it? Is it their diet? Is it their style of living? Is it the air? Is it the water? If this is an issue, then investigate the root cause. Saying that it is normal and acceptable limit must be validated with data. You just can't say it's OK when it's not!!
10. Another blogger, Antares mentioned that one of the important share holder is a Pahang VVIP. To this scribe, everybody needs to make a living. But it must be honest living. Putting a VVIP in the board does not absolve the company from its social responsibilities. In fact, companies with VVIP shareholders should be more responsible than responsible. They are supposed to be the model companies in terms of social responsibilities and sensitive to the surounding needs and problems.
11. Touching on social responsibilities, the Bukit Koman issue should be closely monitored by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM). Is SAM aware of RAGM? Is SAM aware of the EIA? What is SAM's stand on this? If SAM has been persistently monitoring the EIA reports for the Pahang-Selangor water tunnel project, then SAM should be equally persistent in monitoring Bukit Koman issue.
12. It is always been the case of Malaysian authorities. When a project is new, it will always come up with proposals on waste disposal and monitoring. A case of example is the Tioxide plant in Terengganu. International companies will be presenting the authorities with sophisticated plans on how they dispose toxic waste, how they manage toxic waste, how they store toxic waste etc etc. On paper, it will be the best, the most innovative, the most up to date at par with world's standard. In practise? Who will monitor the waste disposal? Who verify their management system? Who recorded their toxic waste storage? This is more so critical for Bukit Koman residents as Bukit Koman is way too rural to be noticed. There, RAGM may be "king" to do what they please.
13. Planning and executing are 2 different things. RAGM may have the best plannings, but who will monitor their planning and execution? RAGM may claim that they have safety officers under them but paid safety officers may be subject to the whims and fancies of RAGM.
14. Remember Lubok Mandi? During the "gold rush" fever, some died when their makeshift tunnels collapsed. That was a tragedy but in was instant. You can see and watch it. Here in Bukit Koman, arsenic poisoning is slow and sure. It will not be instantaneous. It will be slow and painful. So my qquestion - who will monitor RAGM's activities? Will it be on regular monitoring? Will it be done by independent third parties? Will it be carried out by JAS? Frankly, this scribe is suspicious of government authorities because with "kopi", everything jadi.....
15. Murugiah should not be too fast in declaring Bukit Koman as safe. It needs continous monitoring. Do we have the expertise? Do we have the labs? Do we follow international standards?
16. To be fair to Murugiah, he did called for special hearing on 25th June 2009 but none of ukit Koman residents turned up. The reason given by the residents is that they have a prior engagement with other parties, set up 1 month ago and Muru's hearing was called last minute. The residents claimed that they have called to explain their absence.
    
17. Gold mining in Bukit Koman is fine but we surely hope that Bukit Koman will not hit international news as a kampung devastated by arsenic poisoning. That said, can Murugiah guarantees no arsenic poisoning in Bukit Koman for at least another 8 years? Heck, I don't think Murugiah can give the assurance because he may be gone from PM's department soon if Kayveas get his way. If Kayveas fails to oust Murugiah from PM's department, maybe the rakyat will when GE 13 comes around....
    

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

according with the author we need to clarify the real event:

Thanks for your posting and concerns. All Malaysian deserved greener and safer living place.

SAM has been actively assisting the BK villagers since 2 years ago, including technical and legal assistant. The anti-cyanide committee will continue the legal battle and have appeal the case on 9/6/09.

The last water sampling gathered in May 09 at the mining waste water pond has shown cyanide level of 0.03mg/l (Limit is 0.05mg/l at water catchment area under Malaysia law; but way above recommended permissible level set by the US Environment Protection Agency that is below 0.2ppm ). If 3 months cyanide gold mining operation can accumulate this concentration, can’t imaging the damage in 1-2 years time, if RAGM continually don’t take any action on the cyanide detoxification process (According to their EIA Report, they are recycling the water in a so call “closed-circuit” operation).

Repeated statement found in the Admission Document submitted to London Stock Exchange by Peninsular Gold Ltd (the parent company of RAGM) dated 17 June 2005, that cyanide detoxification MAY NOT be required for its operation in Malaysia particularly at the Bukit Koman site. To quote directly from the document, section 8.4.3.12 reads,

“…informed by Peninsular that cyanide destruction is not required by either the local authority, or the lender. Provision has been made in the capital cost for a detoxification plant, although its operating cost has not been included as it may not be required”.
(Imprima de Bussy, 2005)


This is an environmental issue that involves public interest. I urge RAGM to demonstrate their social responsible by allowing independent parties to assess the validity of the claims by RAGM that its mining operation including the use and disposal of cyanide has been conducted in full compliance with all prescribed legislation of Malaysia and other applicable international guidelines, and also sign the International Cyanide Management Code.

http://www.cyanidecode.org/about.php

Tan Hui Chun

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".

Raub villagers protest potential cyanide use

Raub villagers protest potential cyanide use

Soon Li Tsin | Jan 24, 07 3:56pm

Some 3,000 residents of Kampung Baru Bukit Koman in Raub, Pahang, are questioning a state agency’s decision to allow the use of cyanide in a gold-mining operation in Bukit Koman. MCPX A statement released yesterday by the residents’ committee pointed out that serious health and environmental hazards are associated with the use of cyanide. They claimed that the Pahang Mineral and Geoscience Department had issued a letter of authority to the developer, Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd dated Aug 21, 2006 permitting cyanide use to mine gold. “We have been denied our rights because we weren’t given a chance to respond despite the fact that we’re the nearest residents to the project site,” the four-page statement reads. “We urge the government to scrutinise the developer’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report in full and for this document to be released to residents and the public.” About 70 percent of the gold in Bukit Koman has been mined using the gravity separation process to date. The developer, with the help of a South African company at the Bukit Koman quarry, has since decided to switch to cyanide leaching which involves using electrolysis to extract the remaining fine gold particles. “We were shocked by the decision (which was made) without including us in the discussion. The only time when a meeting was arranged, it was a mere rubber stamp to say we were part of the decision making process,” the statement says. Contacted today, committee secretary Mustapha Hussin said the villagers are not against the mining operations, but the use of cyanide. “We are not sure if they will use it (cyanide) but we know they have the authority to. We’re only an ad hoc committee, we’re leaving it up to our state (elected) representative to resolve this after the Batu Talam by-election (on Sunday),” he said. He said cyanide use would affect the residents “whose kitchen is right next to the mine” as well as villages within a 2km radius. It would also pollute Jelai River and connecting rivers. Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd chief executive Andrew Kam Tai Yeow was said to be abroad. His assistant, only identified as Liew, declined to comment on his behalf. The residents cited incidents elsewhere, including one in 2000 when a dam at a goldmine reprocessing facility in Romania released about 100,000 sq metres of wastewater contaminated with heavy metal sludge. Up to 120 tonnes of cyanide were released, polluting 400km of the Tisza and Danube rivers. from malaysiakini

Nonsense to claim someone can get sick from cyanide

Kit Lee | Jun 4, 09 4:47pm

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Bkt Koman residents fail to stop goldmine.

I have been involved in exploration and mining for 40 years around the world. Half my experience has been in gold mining including in the former Raub Gold Mine (1986 to 1987), the centre of this dispute.

Cyanide was first ever used in gold mining in Bau, Sarawak at the turn of the 20th century by the Borneo Company. Cyanide (sodium cyanide) is used to dissolve gold (including silver) as gold cyanides (cyanide/cyanades/thiocyanides). In the old days, the dissolved gold is recovered with zinc dust (Merrill Crowe Process) and then smelted into gold bars.

In the 1950s, resins were used to absorb the dissolved gold cyanides and gold could then be recovered by electrolysis. This was replaced by activated carbon (most of which is being produced in Malaysia from coconut shells). The cyanides/cyanides/thiocyanides will remain in the tailings water as stable metal complexes.

Internationally, to meet environmental compliance, these are require to be denatured using chlorine, iodine and common hydrogen peroxide before discharge. In fact, these are more harmful to the environment as they will kill plant life and increase BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand).

But all environmental agencies insist on this antiquated law. The regulations also insist in denaturing free cyanide radicals (unused sodium cyanide). These could cause death if a sufficient quantity is consumed.

But all mining operations use a very low concentration of cyanide at 110 to 150 ppm (parts per million) and tailing waters are further diluted by other waters especially storm water many fold. Environmental protection agencies should ensure that cyanide concentrations be kept at such diluted levels.

Cyanide is not a poison as it is a carbon-nitrogen compound and will disintegrate in UV light. It would, however, prevents the blood from absorbing oxygen and anyone consuming too much will die of suffocation. Cyanide occurs naturally in many roots especially unripe tapioca. The indigenous people have been using these to ‘poison' fish and yet the fish is edible.

For more than 100 years since cyanide had been used for gold mining, there have been only two instances of accidental death reported due to cyanide poisoning. Such dangers can be limited by the following:

1. Tight control of the circuit of mine water with safety ponds properly constructed to prevent any overflow due to surges in mine waters during floods. These safety ponds must be constructed and maintained to meet strict safety codes.

2. All mine waters be re-circulated (this is a common practice to use up all the free cyanide as cyanide is expensive) so that only small amounts of concentrated inert cyanide solutions require de-naturing

3. The biggest danger from cyanide is hydrogen cyanide gas that is odourless but deadly (used for gas chambers). Hydrogen cyanide gas will result if cyanide occurs in an acidic environment.

All mines should ensure all mine waters are alkaline and cyanide monitors installed at strategic areas especially enclosed areas. Once in the open, the concentration of hydrogen cyanide gas is so diluted that it will never pose a threat

4. If required, the mine could be operating with zero discharge. There is also technology available to recycle cyanide. This strategy is in the interest of the mine operator as it would save cyanide consumption as the cyanide is recycled.

Several saleable metals (eg, arsenic, copper, lead, zinc) would be recovered as well instead of being discharged. These normally cause serious environmental pollution.

5. The concentration of cyanide solutions used in the mining operation must not exceed 150 ppm. At this concentration, an adult requires to drink 10 Coke cans of the cyanide solution to be affected. So the risk of accidental deaths is minimal.

Some miners use higher concentrations thinking it will speed up the gold dissolution process. Actually, it does not help and even at low concentrations it would soon reach a equilibrium and the kinetics of the chemistry will not improve.

6. Adequate monitoring must be installed to avoid any accidental spills into the environment.

The current concerns by the Bkt Koman villages are due to misinformation, fear-mongering and emotion. It is nonsense to claim someone can get sick from cyanide.

If you consume too much you just ‘suffocate' and die, you do not get sick. I had operated a small ‘Heap Leach' operation in Kelantan in the 1990s with no cyanide hazards. There are so many gold mines using cyanide being operated around the world with no danger or health hazard.

Bukit Koman is immediately downstream from the mining operations. But the mining operations can be designed to minimise any risk. In this case, the environment authorities should insist on a zero discharge of liquid waste and all solid waste must be stored in proper, waterproof, non- biodegradable storage areas that could be rehabilitated effectively at the end of mining operations.

I will be happy to supply any interested party detailed information on cyanide and gold mining operations and cyanide recycling and safety practices.

Villagers fail to get judicial review of gold mining report

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/2/courts/4025540&sec=courts

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has dismissed a leave application by four residents of Kampung Bukit Koman in Pahang for a judicial review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on a gold mining project in Raub.

High Court judge Justice Lau Bee Lan dismissed in chambers the residents’ application for a judicial review against the Department of Environment director-general’s approval of the preliminary environmental impact assessment report dated Jan 13, 1997, for the proposal to mine gold with the use of cyanide in Bukit Koman.

She said the application, which cited the director-general of the Department of Environment and Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd as respondents, was “out of time” as it was filed in March 21, 2008, more than 11 years after the EIA report had been approved.

She said there had been an inordinate delay in filing the application for a judicial review.

The judge also pointed out that the applicants had six instances to file the application but had failed to do so. The court also dismissed an order against Raub Australian Gold Mining to present a new and detailed EIA report before continuing their mining activities.

The residents’ counsel, Jessica Ram Binwani, said she would file an appeal this week after receiving a resounding “yes” from about 50 residents who were present in court, when asked if they wanted to appeal the decision.

The leave application was filed on March 21 last year by Wong Kin Hoong, Chong Sow Pin, Hue Fui How, and Mustapha Hussin, in representing the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman, who claimed that mining using cyanide to extract gold had damaged their health.

Datuk Cecil Abraham, S.Nathan-Balan and Sunil Abraham appeared for Raub Australian Gold Mining; Nizam Zakaria from the Attorney-General Chambers represented the director general; while Karina Yoong and Jessican Binwani appeared for the four applicants.