Find Mining expertise in Malaysia

Until 1985, tin was the main focus of mining activities in Malaysia, when production declined significantly due to depleted resources, inaccessibility to new sources in already-developed land and price competition with Kuala Lumpur. Currently the country continues to produce tin-associated minerals – ilmenite, monazite, struverite (a columbium/tantalum-bearing mineral), and zircon. Major mining trade associations include the Malaysian Chamber of Mines, The Kuala Lumpur Tin Market (KLTM) and the Malaysia Tin Products Manufacturers’ Association (MTPMA). The focus later turned to iron ore and gold. Some 10.7 million tons were produced in 2012, making iron ore now the lead mining activity in Malaysia; with deposits found in areas such as Pahang, Johor and Perak, with the highest quality found in Terengganu. Gold is another major focus found in what is called the Central Gold Belt in Pahang which continues north into Thailand, at 4.6 million grams in 2012.

Malaysia heavily relies on its quarrying activities in limestone and granite for domestic use in construction sites and building materials as agents in cement making, platics and paper. There are more than 300 quarrying sites throughout the country. An increase in demand due to government-implemented projects such as the Klang Valley Mass Rail Transit in 2011, revitalised the quarrying industry significantly in recent years and is now a major contributor to the country’s economic outlook.