Paper 4:Public Health Impacts from Bauxite Mining Activities in Kuantan

By Prof Dr. Jamal Hisham Hashim, UNU

Forum on Sustainable Mining: Case Study of Bauxite Mining in Pahang

AUP 3421: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

OVERVIEW OF BAUXITE MINING IN KUANTAN

IMPACTS OF BAUXITE MINING ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Direct Impacts of Bauxite Mining

a) Respiratory health problems and

Skin inflammation

I. Exposure to Bauxite dust cause dramatic increase of asthma and other respirational problems.

II. Exposure to bauxite dust also Increase the frequency of dermatitis, eye dryness and skin inflammation

b) Increase air pollution level

I. very harmful to the growth of agricultural output and reduce crop productivity

II. cause acid rain and lead to poor soil which affect soil nutrients

Sinar Online 12 January 2016Malay Mail Online 13 January 2016

Kosmo Online 12 July 2015

Direct Impacts of Bauxite Mining

d) Road Accident

I. High number of bauxite lorries using Kuantan’s road increase accident risk especially to pedestrian and motorcyclist

II. Bauxite lorries are not properly covered to prevent dust and loading from falling off.

c) Increased water pollution

I. Disturbing aquatic food chainsII. Contaminated water resources

NST Online 7 January 2016 NST Online 5 August 2015

Sinar Online 22 December 2015Pahang Daily Online 13 November 2015

Indirect Impacts of Bauxite Mining

• Lung and kidney problems• Radiation contamination• Psychological disorder• Social disorder

• Lorries set ablaze by public• Compensation collected by resident from truckers

• Neurological problems

Conclusion and Recommendations

Recommendations• Expedite EIA and HIA for new Bauxite mining area• Adequate buffer zone from sensitive land uses

• Proper and suitable location of mines• Adoption of proper procedure of mining activities

• Regular monitoring of public health • Land rehabilitation

The Precautionary Principle“Stated that when human activities leads to morally

unacceptable harm that are scientifically possible but there are no significant data yet, action shall be taken to diminish

the harms”