Sains Malaysiana 54(11)(2025): 2577-2588

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5411-01

 

A Review of Rare Earth Elements in the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia

(Tinjauan Unsur Nadir Bumi di Jalur Barat Semenanjung Malaysia)

 

Nur ‘Aishah Zarime^1,*, Nurul Afifah Mohd Radzir², Nur Suraya Ahmad², Warishah Abdul Wahab³, Nur Syahirah Alias², Badariah Solemon³, Rohayu Che Omar³, Rasyikin Roslan³, Wan Zuhairi Wan Yaacob² & Abdul Ghani Rafek⁴

 

¹Geoscience Department, Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Kampus Jeli, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia

²Geology Program, Department of Earth Science and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

³Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Putrajaya Campus, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

⁴Independent Engineering Geology Advisory, 11, SS21/12, 47400 Damansara Utama, Selangor, Malaysia

 

Diserahkan: 19 Ogos 2024/Diterima: 29 Oktober 2025

 

Abstract

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) alternatively termed non-energy minerals, have emerged as a greatly coveted resource for industries focused on high-technology and low-carbon applications. The Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia has the potential to yield ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) clays, which are found in extensive weathered granitic crusts that frequently exhibit high-grade ion-adsorbed REEs. Currently, global demand is increasing, and there are concerns over future availability. Malaysia is also recognized as a country with significant REEs material production, along with the United States, Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This paper has two main objectives, which were; i) to conduct a literature review related to REE in the Western Belt and ii) to identify distribution pattern of REE deposits in Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. The methodology for this paper is all the data collected from ranges of sources including geological surveys, academic literature, and industry reports. Sites were selected based on their geological characteristics and historical data indicating the presence of REE mineralization. This extensive review also highlights the geochemistry, geological setting, exploration and extraction associated with REEs in the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. The insights presented here can aid the government, researchers, and decision-makers in gaining a better understanding of REEs, enabling them to continue producing rare earth-dependent products and meeting global demand.

Keywords: Global demand; non-energy minerals; rare earth elements (REEs); Western Belt; Peninsular Malaysia

 

Abstrak

Unsur Nadir Bumi (REE) dikenali sebagai mineral bukan tenaga, telah muncul sebagai sumber yang sangat dicari oleh industri yang berfokus kepada teknologi tinggi dan aplikasi rendah kandungan karbon. Jalur Barat Semenanjung Malaysia mempunyai potensi unsur nadir bumi (REE) jerapan ion dan ia banyak ditemui dalam batuan granit yang mengandungi unsur nadir bumi yang berkualiti tinggi. Kini, permintaan global semakin meningkat dan terdapat kebimbangan terhadap keperluan pada masa hadapan. Malaysia juga diiktiraf sebagai negara yang mempunyai pengeluaran bahan REE seiring bersama dengan negara seperti Amerika Syarikat, Australia, Brazil, India, Rusia, Thailand dan Vietnam. Kertas ini mempunyai dua objektif utama, iaitu; i) untuk menjalankan kajian kepustakaan berkaitan REE di Jalur Barat dan ii) untuk mengenal pasti corak taburan REE di Jalur Barat Semenanjung Malaysia. Kaedah yang digunakan untuk kertas ini adalah pengumpulan semua data daripada pelbagai sumber termasuk kajian geologi, kajian kepustakaan dan laporan industri. Kawasan kajian dipilih berdasarkan ciri geologi dan data terdahulu yang menunjukkan kehadiran pemineralan REE. Kajian ini juga menekankan kajian geokimia, maklumat geologi, penerokaan dan pengekstrakan yang berkaitan dengan REE di Jalur Barat Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini akan membantu kerajaan, penyelidik dan pembuat dasar dalam memahami REE dengan lebih baik, menghasilkan produk yang berasaskan kepada unsur nadir bumi dalam memenuhi permintaan global.

Kata kunci: Permintaan global; mineral bukan tenaga; unsur nadir bumi (REE); Jalur Barat; Semenanjung Malaysia

 

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