State Investment Firm In Malaysia Opening Up Rare Earth Mining, Research Lab

Highlights

• Malaysia is developing rare earth element (REE) mining capacity.
• Perak state is positioning itself as a national mining hub.
• Menteri Besar Incorporated has established Terra Mineral Lab, the country’s first rare earth mineral analysis laboratory.
• A local company has successfully separated four groups of rare earth elements.
• This highlights Malaysia’s potential in high-value mineral production.

Malaysia makes moves to develop rare earth element mining and processing capacity, but as Rare Earth Exchanges as reported the southeast Asian nation likely won’t stray to far form China’s realm of interests given their socioeconomic ties, in many cases extensive ones.

The development of rare earth sources continues. In Kuala Kangsar in Selangor, the rare earth sector has contributed RM30.88 mil to this Malaysian state reports Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad representing the state government. The state is positioning Perak as a mining hub for REEs nationwide reports The Star (opens in a new tab).

Enter Menteri Besar Incorporated, (opens in a new tab) the state investment arm involved with the development of the region’s REE mining operations. The state’s investor was established under the Menteri Besar Selangor Enactment (Enactment No: 3 1994) on 21 September 1994. MBI Selangor is a body that was established to administer assets and investments of the State Government, and to represent the State in economic and business activities that are beyond the state government’s jurisdictions. MBI Selangor also plays a role towards promoting and supporting the state government’s development efforts as well as to carry out social responsibility obligations for the public.

According to The Star Menteri Besar Incorporated, has set up Terra Mineral Lab, the country’s first rare earth mineral analysis laboratory. The representative for the state sovereign investor reports that the state government is collaborating with a local company on a pilot project to process rare earth elements in  the town of  Simpang Pulai.

Saarani  reports “This company has succeeded in separating four groups of rare earth elements, which are important components in different supply chains.“  Further highlighting “Perak’s potential in producing high-value mineral products.”

For more on some of the dynamics in Malaysia involving REE, and its ties to China, but the allure also of following the West, led by the United States, Australia, see Rare Earth Exchanges.