BAUXITE POLLUTION IN THE

COASTAL AREA OF KUANTAN,

PAHANG.
By,
NUR AINA BINTI MOHD AZLAN JAMAL (S37669)
BSC. MARINE SCIENCE
SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTALSCIENCE (PPSMS)

BAUXITE?
A rock formed from a laterite soil that has been severely leached of

silica and other soluble materials in a wet tropical or subtropical

climate.

Bauxite

The primary ore of aluminum.

Hydrous
Aluminum
Oxides

Gibbsite

Boehmite
Diaspore

Clay minerals
Goethite
Quartz
Insoluble
material

Magnetite
Siderite

Physical Properties of Bauxite

Color
Streak
Luster
Diaphaneity
Cleavage
Mohs Hardness
Specific Gravity
Diagnostic
Properties
Chemical
Composition
Crystal System
Tenacity
Uses

White, gray, sometimes stained yellow,

orange, red, pink, or brown by iron or included
iron minerals
Usually white, but iron stain can discolor
Dull, earthy
Opaque
None
1 to 3
2 to 2.5
Often exhibits pisolitic structure; color
Variable but always rich in aluminum oxides
and aluminum hydroxides
Amorphous
Brittle
Primary ore of aluminum, also used as an
abrasive

PROCESS AND USAGE

Bauxite
mining

Uses
Bauxite

of

Example :
Used in cement, chemicals, face
makeup, soda cans, dishwashers,
siding for houses, transmission
cable, aircraft, cars, ships, railway,
electrical appliances

THE IMPACT OF BAUXITE MINING

Impact on
Environment

Impact on
Socioeconomi
c

Sea and
river
pollution

Lost if natural fishing

and recreational
places

Air pollution

Loss of economic
activities like food
premises along the
affected road

Noise
Pollution

Poor healthy lifestyle

Visual
Pollution

Deposited red dust

causing cost of
cleaning increase and
devaluation of asset
or property

Destruction
of fauna and
flora
ecosystem

Impact on
health
Mental stress associated
with daily noise

Natural disaster: Mud

and flooding and related
disease
Acute impact associated
with short-term exposure
to dust, road accident
and vector-borne
disease
Long term impact
associated with air,
water, food and noise
pollution

BAUXITE MINING IN KUANTAN

AREA.
Began in 2013

Kuantan, Pahang

Felda Bukit Goh

Bukit Kuantan
Bukit Sago
Bukit Nerang
Exported roughly 10
million 30 million ton
of bauxite
However, this activity
supposed to end by 14
September 2016 but the
moratorium were extended
until end of December 2016

IMPACT TO KUANTANS RESIDENT

Economic
Fisherman cannot do any fisheries activity since the water was polluted with
heavy metals.
Bauxite residue affect crop yields and reduce the productivity of agriculture
area.

Environment
Respiratory/eyes/throat problem
The dust from the mining area cause disruption to health of society. A variety
of health problems have been reported since the activity were started
Exposed to radioactive materials
Mined bauxite contains many radioactive elements such as cadmium,
uranium, thorium, arsenic and mercury which can cause cancer toward
Kuantans residential
Disturbance in river and ocean ecosystem.
Bauxite residue can paralyze the respiratory system of fish and some
shellfish. Absorbed toxin will be distributed through the food web in marine
and river
Bauxite residue affect drinking water in Kuantan area.
Waters near bauxite mining hub in Kuantan recently tested through the roof
for mercury, arsenic and aluminium, and fish are dying in large numbers. It
is also suspected that drinking water has been contaminated with heavy
(Maketab Mohamed, 2015)

REFFERENCE
1. Abdullah, N. H., Mohamed, N., Sulaiman, L. H., Zakaria, T. A., & Rahim, D. A. (2016). Potential Health
Impacts of Bauxite Mining in Kuantan.The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences: MJMS,23(3), 18.
2. Ahmad, R. (2016, January 7). Kesan Kesihatan Disebabkan Bauksit. Retrieved from http://vitamincerdik.com/2016/01/kesan-kesihatan-disebabkan-bauksit.html/
3. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATDSR)Public health statement: Aluminium.
Atlanta: ATDSR; 2008. CAS #7429-90-5.
Chadderton C, Elliott E, Williams G.A guide to assessing the health and wellbeing impacts of
opencast mining.Wales: Wales HIA Support Unit (WHIASU); 2011.
4. Donoghue AM, Frisch N, Olney D. Bauxite mining and alumina refining: Process description Farizul
5. Hafiz, W. (2016, Jan 3). Pelan Khas Atasi Pencemaran Aktiviti Melombong Bauksit. Berita Harian.
Retrieved from http://www.bharian.com.my/node/110755
6. Occupation health risk.JOEM.2014;56(5 Suppl):1217. 3.
7. Hashim Jamal Hisham.Bauxite Forum.Kuala Lumpur: 2016. Feb 16, 2016. Public health impacts from
bauxite mining activities in Kuantan.
8. Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia.Malaysian Minerals Yearbook 2010.Kuala Lumpur:
Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia; 2010. Available
from:http://www.jmg.gov.my/component/rsfiles/download-file/files?path=penerbitan
%2FMalaysian+Minerals+Yearbook%2Fmmy_2010.pdf.
9. Rajah SS. Bauxite in the Kuantan area, Peninsular Malaysia.GEOSEA V Proceedings Vol. I, Bulletin of
the Geological Society of Malaysia.1986;19:315325.