KUCHING: The state government through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development is scheduled to have a discussion with the Department of Environment (DOE) regarding the use of slag as another potential material for road construction.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that Sarawak is also looking at whether the state can use slag produced by Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd in Bintulu.
“According to them, they have tonnes of slag waste from their factory and we are still studying how to use it and we are going to discuss with DOE of Malaysia,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after attending the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Sarawak branch seminar on Revolutionising Road and Airport Infrastructure at Imperial Hotel here yesterday.
Meanwhile, earlier in his speech, Uggah said in Sarawak perspective, the ministry is considering another potential material.
“During a recent trip to Japan last month, my team and I had the privilege of visiting the Land Development Department of the Construction Management Division in Chiba Prefecture.
“We were there to learn about the Chiba Prefecture’s road technology management. They are very experienced in using recycled industrial by- products from industries for their road construction.
“One of the materials that they have been using for years is the slag from iron smelting plants in the vicinity. This method complies with the stringent Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5015.
“We find this option to be very interesting as in the Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu, the current stockpile of slag from the ferroalloy industries is at 1,000,000 metric tonnes,” he said.
He added that the Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd alone for instance, produces 180,000 metric tonne each year.
“Currently, these are considered scheduled waste. I have directed my ministry and the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak to work together to study and come up with guidelines in using slag as road construction material.
“The Samalaju Industrial Park area will pioneer the usage in this effort once its approved,” he said.
