Some impediments affecting the performance of the local non-metallic mineral-based industry

Downstream value-adding activities under the non-metallic mineral sector will continue to feature prominently in the Malaysian mineral industry. Their activities are necessary to sustain the country's pace of development; in addition, a substantial volume of the products will continue to be destined for the export market, thus providing foreign exchange earnings. However, based on surveys and interviews conducted by the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia, there are certain impediments affecting the downstream sector's expansion. This paper identifies some of the issues raised among which are problems related to the quality of resource, competition from neighbouring countries, land issues, environmental concerns, coding problems, etc. Wherever appropriate, some suggestions to overcome these problems are offered. Abstrak: Aktiviti-aktiviti hiliran yang bernilai-tambah didalam sektor mineral bukan metalik (mineral perindustrian) akan terus menerajui industri mineral di Malaysia. Aktiviti-aktiviti ini adalah penting untuk menyokong arus pembangunan negara; tambahan pula sebahagian besar produknya akan terus disasarkan untuk pasaran eksport, seterusnya menghasilkan pendapatan dari tukaran wang asing. Walaubagaimana pun, melalui soalselidik dan perbincangan yang dijalankan oleh labatan Mineral dan Geosains Malaysia, terdapat beberapa halangan yang mempengaruhi perkembangan sektor hiliran ini. Kertaskerja ini mengenalpasti beberapa isu yang dikemukakan, diantaranya yang menyebabkan masaalah yang berkaitan dengan kualiti sumber, persaingan dengan negarajiran, isu tanah, masaalah persekitaran, masaalah pengkodan, dan sebagainya. Dimana mungkin, beberapa cadangan bagi mengatasi halangan terse but telah diberikan.