Illegal gold mine run by 'Mak Siti' in Marang raided, nearly half a million ringgit seized

Authorities in Marang, Terengganu, have dismantled a significant illegal gold mining operation, uncovering a sophisticated network believed to be run by an individual known as 'Mak Siti.' The bust occurred during the Op Gali Mega Zon Timur, a coordinated effort to combat illegal mining.

The operation, spread across 4.04 hectares in Bukit Kor, involved heavy machinery and underground excavation reaching up to six meters. Police seized mining equipment worth nearly RM449,400, including a heavy excavator, water pumps, generators, and a rock crusher. Vehicles, engines, processing equipment, and suspected gold-bearing minerals were also confiscated.

During the raid, 15 individuals were apprehended. Investigations revealed that the operation likely employed foreign workers, primarily from Cambodia and Vietnam. The extracted materials were processed to obtain gold, with evidence suggesting the use of mercury before the gold was sold to a local buyer identified as 'Pak Lang.' Authorities estimate the operation could yield between two and 40 grams of gold daily, indicating it was far from a small-scale endeavor.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain, Commander of the Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (PGA), stated that the integrated operation involved multiple agencies, including the Terengganu Land and Mines Office and enforcement units from Pahang and Kelantan. The Op Gali Mega Zon Timur targets five key locations across these three states to address the growing threat of organized illegal mining, which causes environmental damage, public safety risks, and potential involvement of undocumented migrants.