SEREMBAN, April 24 (Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan collected RM2.8 million from
the production of minerals and mining such as stones, tin ore, iron ore and sand
for the first two months of this year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the revenue was an increase
compared to the RM2.6 million collected during the same period last year.
"This is a positive change and I am confident that with more new permits
issued, the state government''s revenue will increase further," he said when
replying to a question from Aminuddin Harun (PKR-Sikamat) at the State
Legislative Assembly meeting here today.
Mohamad said to increase the output of minerals and mining in the state, the
state government had eased the issuance of operation permits and set a lower
deposit for mineral extraction.
He said in the past companies were required to put up 100 per cent deposit
based on the value of minerals in an area.
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ASSEMBLY-N.SEMBILAN (REVENUE) 2 (LAST) SEREMBAN
The deposit was now only 20 per cent, he said, adding that this was to
attract the involvement of more mining companies.
"It is hoped that the effort will raise the state government''s revenue
collection because for every five per cent of produce extracted from the earth
by these companies, we will earn five per cent in royalty," he said.
Apart from that, Mohamad said the state government was also floating the
prices of minerals and other mining produce according to the market price to
entice miners to operate in the state.
He said the Negeri Sembilan State Economic Development Unit had been
instructed to carry out studies twice a year on the prevailing prices of
minerals to obtain more realistic prices.
-- BERNAMA
RHO CHW JS