Chinese national among four held for illegal gold mining in Malaysia

Authorities in Kelantan, Malaysia, have arrested four men, including a Chinese national, in connection with illegal gold mining activities. The arrests were made during a raid on an operation in Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, on Friday afternoon.

The General Operations Force (PGA) seized various machinery and equipment suspected of being used in the illegal mining. The confiscated items include two excavators, two sluice boxes, two suction machines, and two generators, with an estimated total value exceeding RM1.135 million. A locked container was also found to contain 51 pieces of grass carpet and three rolls of similar material, believed to be related to the mining operations.

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Based on the initial inspection, the activity at the location is suspected to involve the misuse of permits related to sand extraction to carry out gold mining activities.

During the operation, police found the premises' gate locked from the inside. Upon entering, they discovered the four men, three Malaysians and one Chinese national holding a valid passport, in a suspicious state near a shed. One of the individuals presented a copy of a sand extraction permit for Sungai Nenggiri, dated January 31, 2024.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects may have misused sand extraction permits to carry out illegal gold mining. The arrested individuals are assisting in the investigation, and the seized equipment has been handed over to the Kelantan State Lands and Mines Department for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 158 of the State Minerals Enactment 2001. No gold or minerals were found at the scene during the raid.

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All four individuals were arrested to assist in the investigation, and the equipment was handed over to PTG Kelantan for further action according to jurisdiction and legal provisions.