DESPITE the three-month moratorium on bauxite mining that will be implemented from January 15, for locals in Kuantan, Pahang, the damage has already been done.

Many now fear the effects of the environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate mining, which has led to the area being covered in layers of red dust.

This has been a major concern for many local environmentalists and activists, as the residue from bauxite mining is known to include toxic chemicals and minerals such as arsenic and mercury, as well as heavy metals like strontium and cesium…