KUCHING: Sarawak is planning to use slag in its future road construction. Slag is a by-product that comes from smelting or refining ore.
In a statement, the idea came about during Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas’ visit to the Land Development Department Construction Management Division in Chiba Prefecture recently.
They wanted to learn about Chiba’s road technology management, where they have been using slag (within a 40-kilometer radius of a steel factory) in their road construction for many years. Chiba Prefecture is experienced in using recycled industrial by-products from industrial players for road development.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), found the use of slag for road construction, following the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5015, very interesting.
Currently, Sarawak’s ferroalloy industries in the Samalaju Industrial Park produce about 100,000 tonnes of slag per year, which is considered waste.
To make this plan a reality, he said, the ministry and the Public Works Department Sarawak will work together to study and create guidelines for using slag as road construction materials.
The Samalaju Industrial Park will take the lead as the pioneer in this effort.
