An underground limestone mining operation in Malim Nawar, Kampar.
IPOH: Limestone hill conservation group Kinta Valley Watch has called on the government to consider underground mining to preserve the hills.
Its spokesman Ching Boon Tat said the technology and means for underground mining are readily available and some quarry operators in Perak are already doing so.
Ching said there needs to be a win-win solution between a sustainable environment and the economy. Some people believe that limestone hills in Kinta Valley are necessary to be destroyed to spur the economy and keep new houses affordable, he said. But is it really necessary to wipe out all the limestone mountains in Kinta Valley?