Proposed Amendments to Chapter 15, Article X: Wetland Conservation Areas
Review on public health effect from bauxite mining
1. Paper 4:
Public Health Impacts from Bauxite Mining Activities in Kuantan
By Prof Dr. Jamal Hisham Hashim, UNU
Forum on Sustainable Mining: Case Study of
Bauxite Mining in Pahang
AUP 3421: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
4. Direct Impacts of Bauxite Mining
a) Respiratory health problems and
Skin inflammation
I. Exposure to Bauxite dust cause dramatic
increase of asthma and other respirational
problems.
II. Exposure to bauxite dust also Increase the
frequency of dermatitis, eye dryness and
skin inflammation
b) Increase air pollution level
I. very harmful to the growth of agricultural
output and reduce crop productivity
II. cause acid rain and lead to poor soil which
affect soil nutrients
Sinar Online 12 January 2016Malay Mail Online 13 January 2016
Kosmo Online 12 July 2015
5. Direct Impacts of Bauxite Mining
d) Road Accident
I. High number of bauxite lorries
using Kuantan’s road increase
accident risk especially to
pedestrian and motorcyclist
I. Bauxite lorries are not properly
covered to prevent dust and
loading from falling off.
c) Increased water pollution
I. Disturbing aquatic food chains
II. Contaminated water resources
NST Online 7 January 2016 NST Online 5 August 2015
Sinar Online 22 December 2015
Pahang Daily Online 13
November 2015
6. Indirect Impacts of Bauxite Mining
• Lung and kidney problems
• Radiation contamination
• Psychological disorder
• Social disorder
• Lorries set ablaze by public
• Compensation collected by resident from truckers
• Neurological problems
7. Conclusion and Recommendations
Recommendations
• Expedite EIA and HIA for new Bauxite mining area
• Adequate buffer zone from sensitive land uses
• Proper and suitable location of mines
• Adoption of proper procedure of mining activities
• Regular monitoring of public health
• Land rehabilitation
The Precautionary Principle
“Stated that when human activities leads to morally
unacceptable harm that are scientifically possible but there
are no significant data yet, action shall be taken to diminish
the harms”