I.Z. EnvironMind Sdn Bhd (IZE) 6.0 EXISTING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 6.1 TOPOGRAPHY FEATURES The proposed project site is basically located within state land area which surrounded by HSK Lojing, HSK Sungai Berok and situated approximately at coordinate as highlighted in Figure 2.3 attached in Chapter 2.0. It is generally mixed terrain profile with mostly area is hilly in terrain whilst other part of the area are flatter and covered by low commercial value of trees, bushes and bamboo trees. The proposed project site has an altitude ranging from 680.0 to 940.0 meter above sea level (ASL). The highest peak is located at south part of the proposed project site reaching an altitude up to 940.0 meter ASL. This area is drained by various unknown rivulets, streams and rivers (Sg A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M and N) which will flow into Sg Chekau and finally will be catered by Sg Belatop and Sg Berok. The existing topography is as shown in Figure 6.1. The contour line of topography map scaled 1:15,000 which is illustrates the elevation of the proposed project area. The GIS software (ArcGIS 9 – Product of ESRI) has been used to develop Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using the contour line. Figure 6.2 shows the contour line that has been converted into Triangular Irregular Network Model (TIN). TIN is a special process in GIS which specifies in illustrating and simulating elevation for surface area. The elevation is classified by heights and interpreted by colour code. The elevation unit is defined in meter (m). The lowest surface area for proposed project site is between 620.000 to 655.946 meter which is colour coded in blue and mostly found located at the northwestern part whilst the highest surface area is between 907.565 to 943.511 meter, colour coded in light grey which situated at southern part. Figure 6.3 shows the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which has been created using the TIN Model. The grid is generated in 10 square meter cell size which indicates 10.0 meter interval of elevation. The blue colour indicates the highest peak whilst red colour indicates lowest peak in the area. Figure 6.4 shows the three dimensional (3D) view of the surface profile of proposed project site from different angle whilst Figure 6.5 highlighted the output of satellite image for the proposed project site. It basically gives an overview about the actual physical condition of the proposed project site and can be used as supporting information for analyzing the terrain. 6.2 GEOLOGICAL FEATURES The proposed project site lies approximately between coordinate 04° 39’ 31.3” N to 04° 40’ 26.2” N and 101° 30’ 10.8” E to 101° 31’ 10.3” E (refer Figure 2.3 of Chapter 2.0). And general condition and topography of the proposed project site, views from different directions are shown as in Plate 1.0 to 4.0. Site topography of the proposed project is generally a mixture of hilly and undulating areas. General geological profile of the proposed project site is shown in Figure 6.6 which indicate that the area is situated in the undifferentiated acid intrusive formation area. The type of acid intrusive is classified under igneous rocks class. Igneous rocks make up approximately 95% of the upper part of the earth’s crust, but their great abundance is hidden on the earth’s surface by a relatively thin but widespread layer of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Typical intrusive formations are batholiths, stocks, laccoliths, sills and dikes. Igneous rocks can be classified into several subdivisions according to their chemical composition, texture, mineralogy, geometry of the igneous body and mode of occurrence. There are four (4) chemical compositions of intrusive igneous rocks which are acid, intermediate, basic and ultrabasic. The most abundant acid intrusive rocks commonly called granite. According to Figure 6.7, the proposed project site is basically located within felsic to intermediate intrusive area. Felsic rocks with predominance of quartz, alkali feldspar and/or feldspathoids and felsic mineral are usually light coloured and have low density. These felsic rocks are subdivided according to the ration of alkali feldspar to plagioclase. Observation on typical rock outcrops, geological discontinuities and in situ residual soil at several sampling stations were also undertaken as shown in Plate 5.0 to 12.0. It was noted that most part of the proposed project site has undergone intensive weathering processes Grade VI and transforming its rocks into residual soil (Zone 6) while certain area has undergone relatively lower degree of weathering processes Grade IV which has been decomposed and disintegrated to highly weathered (Zone 4) rocks. Grade VI (Zone 6) indicates that the original rock fabric is completely absent and degraded to soil. Highly weathered or Zone 4 (Grade IV) shows that rock is substantially discoloured and more than 50% of the material is in degraded soil condition. A deeply weathered, originally strong rock may show evidence of fresh rock as a discontinuous framework or as corestone while an Preliminary EIA Page 6-1 TJ Natural Agro Farm (M) Sdn Bhd & Ratus Premium Sdn Bhd (TJRP) I.Z. EnvironMind Sdn Bhd (IZE) originally weak rock will have been substantially altered, with perhaps small relict blocks but little evidence of the original structure. Based on geo-prospectivity of the country, metallic mineral resources with the best potential for development in Malaysia are gold and base metals. The areas with economic gold reserve are mainly confined to the western part of State of Kelantan are located in the Central Belt of the Gold Belts of Peninsular Malaysia which include Ulu Sokor, Gua Setir, Sg Chekir and Ketok Batu (see Figure 6.8). Gua Musang, in particular, is also located in this Central Belt and therefore it is likely to exhibit potential of gold reserve. Information obtained from Department of Mineral & Geoscience (DMGS) Negeri Kelantan revealed that proposed project site is located outside the area which has been initially identified as potential gold area (refer Figure 6.9). The information is still classified as a preliminary finding, therefore there is a possibility that the potential gold area may be found at the proposed project site. According to DMGS policy, the government has the right to take back the respective land area for any gold exploration project (if any) in the future. The matter however will be discussed further detail with the project proponent when there is any issue of gold exploration. The project proponent is reminded of several essential issues that may require appropriate attention and consideration. These issues in particular, include the geological conditions such as rock types, mineral reserve, thick weathering profiles and stability of the highly weathered zones, exhibited by the proposed project site. Development work like surface stripping, levelling and excavation to be carried out in the areas where rock comprise interbedded metamorphic rocks may pose some issue pertaining to stability of slopes created by excavation and backfilling. This is mainly due to the weak nature and low weathering resistance of these bedded strata in this area. Metamorphic rocks exhibit foliation (schistosity and slaty) which are small-scale weakness planes, while beddings are large scale weakness planes. These discontinuities may weaken the rock mass to a certain degree. In addition, the thick weathering profile, particularly the completely weathered rock and the residual soil are material which exhibit low strength. Considerations must be given on maximum slope height and safe slope angle. Depending on soil types, the maximum vertical height must not exceed 4.0 m and slope angle lies between 40º and 60º. 6.3 SOIL CHARACTERISTICS Analysis made on the soil investigation report produced by the Department of Agriculture Negeri Kelantan revealed that the study area owned by TJ Natural Agro Farm (M) Sdn Bhd (175.0 hectares) is consists of three (3) different soil series which are Disturbland, Ringlet Series and Steepland. Based on the report, 102.0 hectares (58.3%) of the total area classified as Disturbland and it is the only area identified currently suitable for vegetable planting activity. However, this type of soil has less nutrient, must be provided with proper drainage system and need to partially undertake the fertilizer application if it is going to be used for agriculture purposes. Meanwhile, Ringlet Series (27.0 hectares) and Steepland (46.0 hectares) were totally not suitable for agriculture activity since both of soil series are prone to erosion problem and also due to topography characteristic which more than 12° and 25° respectively. Meanwhile, it was shown that out of 64.0 hectares of proposed project site owned by Ratus Premium Sdn Bhd, only 6.5 hectares (10.2%) identified suitable for agriculture development project. As previously mentioned Disturbland was lack of nutrient and need to be modified so that it can properly used for vegetable development activities. Another 57.5 hectares (89.9%) of the area had been dominated by Steepland area and it was strongly advised to be left untouched since this area was having a steep terrain profile and highly possible to generate significant erosion activity especially during the initial stage of agriculture (vegetable) plantation activity. A full report and soil terrain map by DOA Negeri Kelantan is attached in Appendix G. It was revealed that out of 239.0 hectares, about 108.5 hectares (45.4%) of the area within proposed project site was identified to be suitable for the development of agriculture (vegetable) plantation project. This area has been identified as Disturbland and it was found suitable for planting of vegetable.