KUCHING: Sarawak will not exploit the precious minerals stored in the bowels of the earth excessively because it is feared that it could lead to the destruction of resources.

The Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, said the mining of the mineral would be limited to producing high-value products only.

Therefore, he said, he sent a team to Canada last week to examine the method of mineral mining in the country which is done in a systematic way that does not affect the sustainability of the natural environment.

"We will not exploit on a large scale, instead we will only take a small amount of minerals that are identified as abundant in Sarawak.

"That is why we are examining the methods implemented in Canada because that country is known for having the best management in mining and they do not affect the environment because the mining area is restored after the exploration works have been carried out," he said after the Sarawak Premier's Department's Victim Worship Ceremony at Wisma Sabati, today this.

He was commenting on Sarawak's Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan's revelation yesterday about mineral reserves in Sarawak estimated to be worth more than RM1.25 trillion.

Commenting further, Abang Johari said that in addition to examining mining management methods, the delegation led by Awang Tengah also examined the legal angle used in Canada.

"That is why we also sent the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Sarawak's Attorney General, Datuk Saferi Ali.

"They are researching the law to be adapted in the mining sector in Sarawak," he said.

According to him, he is still waiting for the full report of the visit to decide the next step to begin the exploration of precious minerals in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said, his party has already examined the new salary rates for Sarawak civil servants.

However, he said, it will only be finalized after the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announces the new salary rates for federal civil servants at the presentation of the 2025 Budget later.

"It (Sarawak's new salary) depends on the Prime Minister's announcement because we want the salary of Sarawak civil servants to be in line with the Federal salary," he said.

Regarding Malaysia's readiness to join the intergovernmental organization, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Abang Johari said, it is a good step to strengthen the economy.

This is because he said two Asian economic powerhouses namely China and Russia are in BRICS.

"The Prime Minister (Anwar) saw that two important countries in Asia were there (BRICS) and that's why he decided to join the organization and Sarawak also agreed to the move," he said.