MSC Subsidiary Directed To Temporarily Suspend Tin Mining Operations

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Smelting Corporation Bhd’s (MSC) 80 per cent-owned subsidiary, Rahman Hydraulic Tin Sdn Bhd (RHT), has been directed by the Perak Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG Perak) to temporarily suspend its mining operations.

In a Bursa Malaysia filing, MSC said the directive, effective from Aug 12, 2026, follows a site inspection conducted by JMG Perak at RHT’s tin mine in Klian Intan, after an extreme rainfall event on Aug 3, 2026, during which approximately 60 millimetres of rainfall was recorded within one hour.

“The extreme rainfall exceeded the maximum design intensity of 50mm for RHT’s existing drainage and retention pond infrastructure, resulting in damage to certain drainage facilities and the retention ponds being overwhelmed,” it said. 

The global integrated tin mining and smelting group also said that under normal operating conditions, RHT operates a closed-loop water management system with no routine discharge of process water from its mining operations into the nearby river.

“Process water is retained and recirculated within the mine’s reservoirs, while water quality is managed through lime dosing to neutralise acidity and regular sampling conducted at designated monitoring points within the mine,” said MSC. 

RHT has commenced the necessary repair and upgrading works and is engaging with JMG Perak on a comprehensive remedial action plan.

“The temporary suspension will remain in effect until further notice from JMG Perak. As the duration of the suspension is subject to clearance by JMG Perak, the financial impact on the group cannot be determined at this juncture,” the company said. 

MSC said the group’s tin smelting operations, which form a separate core business segment, are not affected by the directive and continue to operate as usual.

-- BERNAMA