IPOH - The country's first non-radioactive rare earth (NR-REE) laboratory to be constructed in Perak, has the potential to turn Perak into the mineral industry hub in the country.
Perak Chief Minister Incorporated (MB Inc) chief executive officer Anuar Zainal Abidin said, the laboratory is capable of boosting the mineral industry in line with responsible mining practices as outlined in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan.
"At the same time, this mineral analysis laboratory is also capable of helping Perak become a catalyst at the upstream level, ultimately adding value at the midstream and downstream levels in the future.
"This is also a significant milestone for the development of the rare earth industry, not only in Perak but throughout Malaysia," he said in a statement here today.
Perak Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, recently announced the contsruction of the country's first NR-REE in Malaysia in Perak.
He stated that the laboratory will be built by three state government agencies, namely MB Inc, the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC), and the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP).
Saarani revealed that the construction of the laboratory received approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (KeTSA) during a recent National Minerals Meeting.
Extolling on the capabilities of the laboratory, Anuar said it is not limited to the analysis of rare earth lanthanide elements in the future but also extends to the analysis of other minerals that have development potential over time.
In addition to providing expertise in analyzing and determining the content of rare earth elements, the laboratory also contributes to the development of a database for future reference by the state government.
"It is not only focused on lanthanide minerals but also other minerals that have the potential to be developed as a source of the state's economy," he added.