Gold rush ravages Malaysian forest

Officials warn that gold mining is polluting rivers and causing erosion in country’s southern Johor province.

Illegal gold mining ravages Malaysia forest

Malaysian forestry officials have warned that illegal mining is polluting rivers, causing soil erosion and damaging trees in the country’s pristine forests.

Mining for gold has been taking place in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor since the 1960s, but as gold prices have soared in recent months the hunt for the precious metal has intensified.

Al Jazeera correspondent Stephanie Scawen reports from Johor.

Source: Al Jazeera