DoE identifies 3 mining sites linked to blue river incident in Perak

Videos and photos of Sungai Perak’s blue waters near Kampung Sungai Papan went viral on social media last month, sparking public concern over potential risks to aquatic life and human health. (Jejak Air Tawar Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The environment department (DoE) has identified three mining sites upstream of Sungai Perak near the Kampung Sungai Papan bridge in Gerik, Perak, that may have caused the river to turn blue recently.

DoE director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said preliminary investigations found that one of the sites was a rare earth element mine, while the other two were tin mines, Berita Harian reported.

He said further investigations are being carried out with the minerals and geoscience department (JMG), alongside water sampling and laboratory testing to determine the actual cause of the discolouration.

“Water samples have been taken and we are awaiting the laboratory results from the chemistry department,” he said during an event in Kuala Lumpur today.

Wan Abdul Latiff said the colour change could have also resulted from chemical reactions in the river flow rather than direct discharge from nearby factories or mines.

“In some cases, it’s not just direct industrial discharge. We have seen cases where people themselves would pour chemical substances into the river,” he said.

He added that the DoE would announce the findings once the full chemical analysis and field report were completed.

On Oct 23, Perak DoE director Ezanni Mat Salleh said samples had been collected from Sungai Perak and sent for analysis. He said the bluish tint of the river water was an early sign of possible contamination.

The incident was first reported on Oct 21, after videos and photos of Sungai Perak’s blue waters near Kampung Sungai Papan went viral on social media, sparking public concern over potential risks to aquatic life and human health.