Six men were arrested after authorities uncovered an alleged illegal iron ore mining operation that was being carried out beyond the boundaries of an approved mining site in Mukim Kuala Nal, Batu Mengkebang, Kelantan.
Authorities also seized an excavator, four trailers and 360 tonnes of iron ore, with the total value of the confiscated assets estimated at RM2.98 million.
Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (PGA) commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the mining company involved held a valid mining licence until Nov 13, 2026.
However, inspections found that mining activities had allegedly expanded beyond the area permitted under the licence conditions.
The raid, carried out at about 1pm on Tuesday, involved officers from the 8th Battalion PGA Intelligence Unit based in Pengkalan Chepa, in collaboration with the Kelantan Land and Mines Office (PTG) following intelligence gathered by the authorities.
During the operation, officers found an excavator loading iron ore into four trailers at the mining site.
The six suspects, comprising a mine caretaker, an excavator operator and four trailer drivers, were detained to assist with investigations.
Initial checks confirmed that the company possessed a valid mining permit, but further inspection by the PTG found that mining activities had been conducted outside the approved area.
Investigators also found that all six suspects were working under the supervision of a site manager responsible for overseeing operations at the mine.
Further investigations revealed that the iron ore extracted from the site was believed to have been transported to a processing company in Kuantan, Pahang.
The suspects and all seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Land and Mines Office for further action under Section 158 of the Mineral Enactment 2001.
Ahmad Radzi said intelligence gathering and monitoring efforts would continue to detect breaches of mining licence conditions and curb illegal mining activities in the state.
