Kuantan, Pahang: Pahang state, located in Malaysia, has emerged as a significant gold-producing region, with seven active operations yielding 720.8 kilograms of gold worth RM155.6 million in the previous year.

Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail revealed that a substantial gold belt stretches across the central region, encompassing districts such as Lipis, Raub, Maran, Pekan, and Rompin. The Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) estimates the inferred gold resource in Pahang to be a substantial 63.44 metric tonnes, valued at approximately RM10.8 billion.

Addressing concerns raised by Chan Chun Kuang, a member of the state assembly, regarding the longevity of these gold deposits, Wan Rosdy emphasized that the lifespan of the mines is contingent upon various factors, including total gold reserves, mining scale, production rate, economic considerations, and technological advancements.

As of November, the state has already collected over RM10 million in royalties from gold sales, with RM5 million recorded in 2023 alone.

This significant gold production and the potential for further exploration highlight Pahang's growing role in the global mining industry.