Guidelines, Conditions For Gold Panning To Be Announced In Next Exco Meeting

KOTA BHARU, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The complete guidelines and conditions for gold panning activities in Kelantan will be announced after being tabled in the next state exco meeting, said Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan.

He said the Land and Mines Office (PTG) is studying the proposal to ensure that panning activities do not affect the safety of panners and the environment.

“The proposal to grant permission to carry out gold panning activities is still in the review stage and has not been finalised.

"There may be confusion regarding the previous declaration. When I said the government proposed and will make conditions, it means that it has not been implemented yet. We are currently reviewing the conditions, guidelines and other matters before presenting them in the next Exco meeting,” he told reporters after the Exco meeting here today.

He stressed that the guidelines are set to control panning activities so that they do not affect the safety of the people and the environment.

“We want to regulate this activity. Panning is allowed, but the use of certain equipment such as mobile machines is considered industrial and is not allowed. Industrial activities need to apply for a license and go through stricter procedures,” he said.

He added that the determination of the gold purchase price, buyers and monitoring of the number of panners will be coordinated through the license that will be issued.

According to him, the encouraging response to the panning activity shows the potential for it to become one of the new tourism products in Kelantan.

“We want to examine all aspects. However, the conditions have not been announced yet, so I do not want to comment further. "The SOP will be announced first," he said.

Following that, he said gold mining requires high costs. So far, the state government has issued 20 licenses, but only four companies are active, including one large company.

"We welcome local companies that are capable of participating in this industry. Bumiputera companies that are truly capable are also welcome. So far, not many companies can carry out large-scale mining," he said.

-- BERNAMA