Day: April 16, 2022

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) is collaborating with the Perak state government to develop a pilot project for mining of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) in Mukim Kenering, Hulu Perak.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the proposed mining at the pilot project site is a government initiative to ensure NR-REE mining activities are carried out efficiently and orderly, through standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed (after feedback) before being expanded to other states.

He said the NR-REE SOP document was developed comprehensively after scrutiny at the federal and state government levels.

“It (the document) is also evaluated by an executive committee comprising experts in the fields of mining, hydrology, hydrogeology and sustainable development before being agreed at the Cabinet level on Dec 2, 2021,” he said in a statement today.

On Dec 24 last year, Takiyuddin in a statement said the public hearing on the NR-REE SOP in Perak concluded that the development of NR-REE should be focused on large-scale mining.

Meanwhile, in addition to upstream development, Takiyuddin said KeTSA was also looking into the potential of developing the middle and downstream levels for the NR-REE industry, to ensure the economic potential could be fully realised and not just rely on the export of raw minerals.

According to him, the NR-REE mining that is carried out in Malaysia, especially in Perak, will be implemented responsibly so that environmental sustainability and safety of the masses will be guaranteed with the creation of the SOP.

He said a meeting with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today was to finalise the NR-REE SOP document in Perak.

“I express my appreciation to YAB (Yang Amat Berhormat) Menteri Besar (Saarani) for bringing this matter up for consideration and approval by the State Executive Council,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) – A snake robot created by four International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturers ready for commercialisation shows how far Malaysia has come in science and technology.

Prof Dr Amir Akramin Shafie, Prof Dr Raisuddin Khan, Dr Abd Halim Embong and Assoc Prof Dr Siti Fauziah Toha @ Tohara from the Department of Mechatronics under the Kulliyyah of Engineering have been involved in its creation since 2010.

Prof Amir said the snakebot, which proved effective in a laboratory setting, was developed to be used in impenetrable spaces like a collapsed tunnel or to slither over earthquake rubble.

He said it can help to check ground stability, survey the surroundings and scan for radiation after a disaster.

He said it is aimed at industries involved in excavation work, building tunnels, laying pipes, as well as for use by the police and fire department for rescue operations.

“The advantage of the snakebot is its modular design. You can attach a camera, radar, thermal or radiation sensor to it and it can also turn its head,” said Prof Amir.

The snakebot moves in a unique way which enables it to go where machinery on wheels can’t, he added.

Prof Amir said the snakebot is not intended for mass production, but for specific applications.

“This robot can be modified according to need, such as for healthcare and to snake through the human body. Of course it will have to be of a suitable size and material.”

He said the robot was created thanks to the eScienceFund under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), but now they are looking for a commercial partner to move to the next step.

Prof Amir said he can’t reveal too much about the robot but expects the dream of commercialisation to be a reality by the end of the year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency