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Kelantan Builds REE Lab, Eyes International Standards
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Economy & Trade

Kelantan Builds REE Lab, Eyes International Standards

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Kelantan state government aims to build a world-class State Geochemical Laboratory (MGNK) to become a competitive rare earth element (REE) industry hub in Asia.
  • The lab is nearing international ISO certification, expected by mid-2025 or 2026, to ensure its analysis capabilities are trusted.
  • REE is seen as a future industry for Kelantan, with exploration ongoing to identify economically viable deposits, and the lab will support R&D and industry collaboration.

The Kelantan state government is investing in a world-class State Geochemical Laboratory (MGNK) with the ambition of transforming the region into a leading rare earth element (REE) industry hub in Asia. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr. Mohamed Fadzli Hassan emphasized the state's focus on achieving international recognition for MGNK through ISO certification, aiming to match the standards of leading global laboratories.

When this happens, the laboratory will receive international recognition through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification standard so that it can stand shoulder to shoulder with leading laboratories abroad.

— Datuk Dr. Mohamed Fadzli HassanExplaining the state's goal for the State Geochemical Laboratory (MGNK) to achieve international standards.

This pursuit of international standards is crucial for building confidence in the lab's capacity to analyze mineral samples, particularly REEs. The lab is in its final stages for ISO certification, with efforts spearheaded by a dedicated team from the Kelantan Land and Mines Office. Despite high demand for its services, the lab is currently staffed by 15 local professionals.

Preliminary recognition has already been received through visits from international delegations, including those from Japan, France, and the United States. The state views REE as a significant future industry with the potential to benefit its citizens and boost economic development. Exploration is currently underway to identify areas with economic REE deposits, as large-scale mining has not yet commenced.

We (the state government) see REE as an industry of the future that has the potential to benefit the people and contribute significantly to Kelantan's economic development.

— Datuk Dr. Mohamed Fadzli HassanHighlighting the perceived economic potential of rare earth elements for Kelantan.

The MGNK's role extends beyond sample analysis to encompass research and development support, mineral data verification, and collaboration with higher education institutions. These efforts align with the growing global attention on the REE industry and await further federal government guidelines.

REE is the future, and we need more professionals and highly skilled people in this field.

— Datuk Dr. Mohamed Fadzli HassanEmphasizing the need for skilled labor as the REE industry develops.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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