KOTA KINABALU: The controversial gold mining activity in Bukit Mantri Tawau is legal, says Sabah Finance Minister.
“The state has decided not to acknowledge the use of the Mineral Development Act 1994 in Sabah and has started actions to strengthen the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960 through the empowerment of regulatory frameworks in line with the ordinance,” he said.Masidi said the mining company managed to get its license renewed on April 8, and accusations that the company was operating illegally despite an earlier permit that expired on Oct 31, 2023 due to some technical matters were untrue.
He said the state has not collected royalties from the mining company following 10 inspections from Nov 1, 2023, to April 7, 2024.