MINERAL RESOURCES

Malaysia is endowed with a variety of minerals, ranging from metallic minerals such as tin, gold, iron, copper, bauxite and minerals associated with tin deposits includes ilmenite, monazite, struverite and zircon, to non-metallic minerals such as limestone, clay, kaolin, silica sand, sand and gravel, barite, and rock aggregates. It also has a large deposit of energy mineral, primarily coal. Based on the geoprospectivity of the country, the metallic mineral resources with the best potential for development in Malaysia are gold and base metals. The prospect for these resources is particularly bright in Sabah. In Sarawak, several gold potential areas, based largely on geochemical surveys undertaken by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), have been identified. In Peninsular Malaysia, anomalous areas with gold potential, some substantiated by mineralisation, are mainly localized in the states of Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. Reserves of tin are still available, especially in the Kinta and Klang Valleys, and in Terengganu, Pahang and Johor. Economically significant associated minerals like zircon, xenotime, monazite, ilmenite, struverite are common by-products of tin ore found in the alluvial deposits which are also sources of tailings sand.

Substantial geological resources of ball clay, kaolin, silica sand (including tailings sand), and limestone have been delineated and assessed by the JMG through its intensified industrial mineral exploration programme, under the country’s mineral diversification and industrialization strategy. Granite bodies with potential for dimension stone and aggregate have similarly been identified. More recently, a sizeable feldspar deposit has been delineated in the border areas between Pahang and Kelantan. These large, bulky and relatively low-value non-metallic mineral commodities, which can readily be value-added, are invaluable resources for sustaining the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Unfortunately, being sited close to growth centres, they are easily prone to sterilization by other forms of development.

The large coal resources in Sarawak and Sabah are relatively unexploited. Presently only small-scale mining for coal is undertaken in Sarawak. The importance of coal, as a resource with great potential particularly for power generation cannot be over emphasised.

METALLIC MINERALS

NON-METALLIC MINERALS

Kaolin | Mica | Silica Sand | Calcium | Coal

LOCATION OF OPERATING MINES

Peninsular Malaysia | Sarawak

Petronas Twin Towers

Parliament Building

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Sepang F1 Circuit

Kuala Lumpur Tower