State forestry director Hizamri Yassin said the area was being degazetted as a forest reserve.

Officials have yet to approve any Environmental Impact Analysis report for the site at the Bukit Kuantan forest reserve, which is required before the land can be cleared and logging allowed in the area.

About 202.35ha in the reserve have reportedly been earmarked for a permanent waste disposal facility for the rare earth producer.

Hizamri said the department was still marking out the boundaries for the area approved for logging.

“To avoid leakages of state government resources, a forest release certificate is needed before any area is developed,” he said.

He said the state government had approved licences to clear out the remaining trees on 121.64ha, later followed by approval for 80.71ha more.

The size of the area approved for logging was the same as the area to be developed and degazetted as forest reserve land, he said.