Sarawak completes rare earth roadmap, approves RM18 million for studies
The state aims to develop a ‘super magnet’ industry serving sectors including semiconductors, aerospace and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Sarawak has finalised a roadmap for its rare earth elements industry and approved RM18 million for studies into potential resources, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan told the State Legislative Assembly in Kuching on October 21.
The funding, allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan, will support investigations covering approximately 3,134 square km. Awang Tengah said the state had also asked the federal government to increase funding for the Sarawak branch of the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia so surveys could extend across Sarawak.
The roadmap spans upstream and downstream activities. According to Awang Tengah, it seeks to establish a ‘super magnet’ industry supporting Sarawak’s semiconductor, aerospace and satellite industries, with applications also envisaged in electric vehicle manufacturing, defence technology and medicine.
Separately, he said the Sarawak Minerals Management Authority had approved a mineral industry policy with seven pillars and 43 key components. Its priorities include green mining and quarrying, newer technologies, workforce development and links between upstream, midstream and downstream operations to raise product value. The Green Mining and Quarrying Academy will support implementation, he added. The academy was established through a partnership between the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak and Canada’s University of British Columbia.
