OBJECTIVES

To ensure the mineral resources in the country is developed in an optimal, efficient and sustainable way with minimal impacts to the environment and to assist in the diversification of local mineral usage.

FOCUS

1. Better characterization, evaluation, modeling and planned exploitation of industrial mineral reserves.
2. Best mining/quarrying practices with emphasis on grade control, efficiency, productivity safety and sustainability.
3. Minimizing the impacts of mining and quarrying on the environment

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

1) Evaluation of Kaolin and clay reserves for industrial use

Malaysia is reported to have some 800 million tonnes of plastic clay and 112 million tonnes of kaolin. Further studies are being carried out to understand its occurrence, characteristics, properties, quality and consistency and its usage for ceramics and filler industries. Detail characterization, composition and morphology information of clay and kaolin will assist in its utilization or beneficiation for new and higher value added applications.

Study of clay morphology for value added applications.

2) Acid Rock Drainage/ Acid Mine Drainage

Acid rock drainage can affect the environment in operating and abandoned mines.  Studies are being done on assessing the acid generating potential of different rock types, environmental monitoring of acidity, control of acid leaching in mine dumps and treatment of acid mine drainage.

Study of potential Acid Mine Drainage issue in Mines.

3) Synthesis of zeolites from kaolin and flyash

Zeolites are natural minerals that are mined in many parts of the world, but most zeolites used commercially are produced synthetically. Commercial application of zeolites is based on the following physical properties – molecular sieving, ion exchange, adsorption and catalysis. The synthesis of zeolites is undertaken mainly for technical and strategic reasons, such as the search for cheaper or better replacements for natural minerals and the production of better quality materials having specific build-in properties. Malaysia has little natural zeolite resources but zeolites can be synthesized from Malaysian kaolin or the coal flyash from coal fired power generating stations. Research is being done on the synthesis of zeolites from kaolin and coal flyash by hydrothermal and fusion methods.  The aim of the research is to produce synthetic zeolites that can be used as detergent builder in detergent.

Laboratory synthesis of zeolites by hydrothermal methods.

SEM image of flyash.

4) Study of noise and dust from operating quarries

Dust and noise are among some of the impacts of quarrying operations. Rock aggregates are essential for construction of building, roads and infrastructure so they must be extracted but in a safe and sustainable way with minimal impacts to the environment. Research on dust and noise monitoring and control is currently being carried out in the Bukit Lagong quarrying region north of Kuala Lumpur. This quarrying region is supplying a large portion of the aggregates requirements for Kuala Lumpur and is coexisting with development encroaching into the quarrying region.