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Dear Editor,

It has been reported in the print and online media that members of the Bukit Koman anti-cyanide committee are taking advantage of the Hulu Selangor by-election to highlight to the government their opposition to the operation of the Raub gold mine.

As an observer who has been monitoring environmental issues, I want to express my concern at the attempt by these people to politicise the issue.

The anti-cyanide committee is against the gold mine because it uses cyanide. It claims that the health of Bukit Koman villagers are at risk. However, let the facts speak for themselves:

1. The Bukit Koman gold mine in Raub started gold production 15 months ago, and no employee had suffered any ill effects.
2. The Australians, who used to operate the Raub mine, until the 1950’s, were also using cyanide in their operations and there were no record of ill health among the workers in those days.
3. The use of cyanide in gold extraction is practiced by many mines around the world, including in the United States, Canada and Australia and the health of mine workers in those countries have not been be adversely affected.
4. Similarly, the Penjom gold mine, not far away from Raub, Pahang which has been operating for the past 15 years, also uses cyanide, and there are no reports of ill health among its workers.
5. The former mine at Lubok Mandi in Trengganu used cyanide in its operations for nearly a decade but there were no reports of adverse effect on the health of its workers.
6. The health and environmental authorities maintain regular checks on the Raub gold mine and they are satisfied with its environmental and health standards.
7. Last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in favour of the gold mine in a suit brought against it by anti-cyanide group.

Finally, the Raub gold mine employs about 200 locals. It is an important contributor to the local economy. Many businesses, such as restaurants, petrol stations and entertainment outlets as well as local contractors, are benefitting from the increased employment in the area.

The use of cyanide in gold operations is generally not an issue among gold producing countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand; so I am wondering why are there some people in Malaysia who persist in highlighting this matter continuously when it comes to the Raub gold mine. Is there any ulterior motive behind this?

SA
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