Allegations that a 660-hectare area in the Hulu Jelai forest reserve in Lipis would be degazetted for Lanthanide rare earth mining are untrue, and there is currently no national standard operating procedure (SOP) for such mining activities, said Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said rare earth mining SOPs are still at drafting stage based on information from the Natural Resource and Energy Ministry to the National Mineral Council on Feb 16.

“The truth is...