Environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has demanded an immediate halt to iron ore mining operations, feared to be causing heavy metal contamination in rivers and posing a health risk to a Temiar community downstream from their operation in Bukit Tambun, Gua Musang, Kelantan.

This follows claims by Kampung Kelaik villagers that the rivers had turned a rusty red since mining began over a decade ago, and a recent blood test conducted by Malaysiakini revealed...