Malaysia has extended its bauxite mining ban for another six months to December 31, local media reported Friday, quoting a statement from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
The original three-month temporary moratorium, first imposed in January 2016, has been extended several times and was last slated to expire at the end of June.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said bauxite stocks around Kuantan had increased since the government made the decision to impose the moratorium in November 2015 to curb environmental pollution.
"Based on the latest survey conducted by the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia in April, we found there was an increase in the bauxite stockpile," he said in the statement.
"With the extension of the moratorium on bauxite mining and exports, we hope the extraction from existing stockpiles can be implemented in a controlled manner and in accordance with the guidelines set by the ministry."
He said the decision had been reached in agreement with the Pahang government.
"I would also like to emphasize here that the extension of the moratorium has nothing to do with the 14th general election, but restrictions on illegal mining activities carried out on private lands by irresponsible companies causing environmental pollution due to non-compliance with guidelines," he said.
