Living in Fear of Cyanide

January 31st, 2007 (Malaysia Kini)

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The residents of Kampung Baru Bukit Koman in Raub, Pahang are living in fear of cyanide poisoning after a company was given approval by the authorities to recover gold deposits using cyanide.

The residents are fearful that any leakages of cyanide into the area’s water system will be damaging to their health and the fertility of farms within the village and surrounding areas.

The gold mine has been in existence since 1898 but stopped operations in 1961. However, new mining technology using cyanide to extract gold from ‘gold tailings’ has made mining feasible again, bringing about much fear to the people of Bukit Koman.

Members of the committee against the use of cyanide at Bukit Koman relate to Malaysiakini their fears.

Camera: Shufiyan Shukur

Reporting: Beh Lih Yi / Kuek Ser Kuang Keng