He said the extension was agreed by the cabinet in accordance with the Pahang state government’s decision.

“It will give entrepreneurs time to clear all the remaining bauxite stockpiles and ensure mitigation of pollution in the supply chain from the mines being exported,” he said in a statement today.

The moratorium on bauxite mining began on Jan 15 last year to regulate the issue of contamination and has been extended several times, with the current period ending on March 31.

Wan Junaidi said a stockpile of 2.15 million tonnes of bauxite still remained around Kuantan, Pahang.

He said only 3.25 million tonnes of bauxite had been exported through the Kuantan Port and Kemaman Port in Terengganu as of Feb 28 this year.

Wan Junaidi said the ministry had been informed mining activities were still taking place outside working hours.

The ministry would cooperate with the state government and all law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action against the illegal mining operators, he said.