list of iron ore mining granted in malaysia

Iron Ore Mining Leases Granted in Malaysia

Malaysia has a long history of iron ore mining, with several key locations holding active mining leases. The country’s iron ore reserves are primarily found in states such as Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, and Perak. Over the years, both local and international companies have been granted licenses to explore and extract iron ore under strict regulatory oversight by the Malaysian government. Below is an overview of some notable mining leases granted for iron ore extraction in Malaysia.

1. Bukit Besi Mine (Terengganu)
One of the most historically significant iron ore mines in Malaysia was Bukit Besi, located in Terengganu. Although active mining ceased decades ago, recent exploration licenses have been granted to assess remaining deposits. The mine was once operated by the Japanese during World War II and later by local companies. Renewed interest in Bukit Besi suggests potential future extraction projects under newly approved permits.

2. Vale Malaysia’s Operations (Pahang)
Vale Malaysia, a subsidiary of Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A., operates an iron ore distribution center in Teluk Rubiah, Perak. While Vale does not mine locally, it holds logistics and storage licenses linked to imported iron ore processing. However, exploration permits have been issued for potential new mining sites in Pahang’s interior regions where high-grade hematite deposits exist.

3. Lynas Rare Earths Associated Mining Leases (Pahang & Johor)
Though primarily focused on rare earth elements, Lynas Corporation holds adjacent exploration rights that include iron-bearing mineral deposits in Pahang and Johor. Some overlapping leases permit secondary extraction of magnetite-rich iron ores alongside rare earth processing operations.

4. Private Local Mining Companies (Perak & Kedah)
Several Malaysian-owned firms hold active mining concessions for small to medium-scale iron ore extraction in Perak’s Kinta Valley and Kedah’s Sik District. These leases typically cover open-pit mines producing low-grade limonite and goethite ores used mainly in domestic steel production or exported to regional markets like China and India.

Regulatory Framework Governing Iron Ore Mining Leases
All mining activities must comply with Malaysia’s Mineral Development Act 1994 and environmental regulations enforced by agencies like the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG). Leaseholders undergo rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIA)