TORONTO: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan led Sarawak delegation for a benchmark visit to Micassa Gold Mine located in Kirkland, Toronto recently.

Among the biggest gold mine with the highest grade in the world, the visit was to benchmark best practices of gold mining, which is operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

The delegates was briefed among others on the Sustainability and ESG management. They have shared their vision and mission on mining and how they adhered to industry’s Sustainability Standards.

Apart from that, the delegates were also briefed on mining protocol that is Towards Sustainable Nining, which is a globally recognised sustainability program that supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social responsibilities.

During the visit, the delegate has toured the underground mining and gold milling operations, which observed the various advanced techniques and technologies, including automation and digitalisation to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability.   

Gold mining in Sarawak has a long history dated back to the 1800s, which then ceased operation in 1997, due to low market price. 

Based on the estimate of geomapping survey, there are commercially viable gold deposits which is estimated at 3.3 million ounce to be mined.

Currently, a Canadian company listed in the Australian Stock Exchange is exploring the potential of gold in Bau area since 2010.

During the visit, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah said he welcomes investors and the company to Sarawak explore the opportunities particularly in mining.

Also present in the delegation were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Syed Aman Ghazali and other senior government officials. -UKASnews