Kuala Lumpur: Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd has resumed operations at its Ulu Remis Palm Oil Mill in Johor.
Effective yesterday, the Department of Environment (DOE) had cancelled the suspension notice and allowed the Ulu Remis Mill to resume its operations.
This is after the authority had verified and is satisfied that Sime Darby Plantation is implementing improved control measures at its mills.
On July 14, DOE had slapped a Notice of 60-day Suspension of License on Sime Darby Plantation’s Ulu Remis Palm Oil Mill. This was due to an overflow of treated palm oil mill effluent in one out of 109 field furrows.
DOE’s investigations showed that the effluent overflow traces were contained and captured by Sime Darby Plantation’s field control trenches. There were no spillages into any waterways.
Sime Darby Plantation, in a statement, clarified that tests on water samples from various points around its operations area at both Sungai Remis and Sungai Sayong (both lead into Sungai Johor) indicated there was no evidence its mill or the estate had caused ammonia contamination.
Sime Darby Plantation reiterated it was committed to protecting the environment and conserving biodiversity through sustainable development. This, it said, is a prime consideration in all aspects and stages of its plantation operations.
