KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government should take a step back and rethink the silica mining project off Balambangan island in Kudat.
The proposal was raised in 2019 when Parti Warisan was the then government.
A recently completed Environmental Impact Assessment report indicated the terms of reference for extraction of silica sand, covering 1,060 ha, out of the total 2,418 ha on the northern part of the island.
It plans to operate for 12 years from June 2024 to Dec 2036, where processed silica sand will be transported to a loading site at the southeastern coast for export to end users in China.
An International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) expert Dr Alfred Raymond said there should be a detailed cost and benefit analysis versus the blue growth initiative.
"The extraction of silica from the Island significantly impacts the environment, human health, and communities near mining operations, especially the Tun Mustapha Marine Park.
"Silica is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties, but the extraction process and associated activities can have detrimental consequences," he said in a statement.
Balambangan's coastal seas constitute part of the marine park and it is marked as a Priority Conservation Area (PCA) under the Coral Triangle.
The Tun Mustapha Park is also home to the second-largest concentration of coral reefs in Malaysia, which contributes more than 12 per cent of Sabah's marine fisheries and aquaculture production with a value of RM184 million in 2017.
Alfred also said that clearing vegetation and soil erosion during mining operations can result in habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem disruption.
The removal of vegetation can also contribute to increased runoff and soil degradation.
Additionally, the excavation of mines and deposition of waste materials can alter the topography and hydrology of the area, affecting natural drainage patterns and water availability, hence deteriorating the water quality around the marine landscape.
He also highlighted that one of the major concerns associated with silica mining is the generation of fine silica dust, known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
"The crushing, grinding, and handling of silica ore releases RCS particles into the air, which workers and nearby communities can inhale.
"Prolonged exposure (more than three years) to RCS can lead to serious respiratory diseases such as silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)."
