Based on the OSC 3.0 PLUS application manual, the Mineral & Geoscience Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Mineral & Geosains, JMG) is listed as one of the technical agencies involved in the application of development order process (Kebenaran Merancang), whereby the submission of a Geological Terrain Mapping report (Laporan Penilaian Geologi) is required to be submitted for review and approval.

In a nutshell, the aim of this report is to assess the proposed project site in terms of the geological formation, slope gradient, erosion, instabilities, construction suitability, land form, etc. where the site terrain will ultimately be classified into four classes:

  1. Class I – low geotechnical limitations
    1. In-situ terrain < 15° slope gradient
    2. Cut slope < 15°
  2. Class II – moderate geotechnical limitiations
    1. In-situ terrain > 15° – < 25° slope gradient with no erosion & instability
    2. In-situ terrain < 15° slope gradient with evidence of erosion & instability
    3. In-situ terrain < 15° slope gradient comprising of colluvium or sensitive geological materials
    4. Flood prone area
  3. Class III – high geotechnical limitations
    1. In-situ terrain > 25° – < 35° slope gradient with no erosion & instability
    2. In-situ terrain > 15° – < 25° slope gradient with evidence of moderate to severe gully erosion & instability
    3. In-situ terrain > 15° – < 25° slope gradient comprising of colluvium or sensitive geological materials
    4. In-situ terrain < 15° slope gradient comprising of colluvium or sensitive geological materials with instability
    5. Limestone, swamp, peat and mined-out area
  4. Class IV – extreme geotechnical limitations
    1. In-situ terrain > 35° slope gradient with no erosion & instability
    2. In-situ terrain > 25° – < 35° slope gradient with evidence of moderate to severe gully erosion & instability
    3. In-situ terrain > 25° – < 35° slope gradient comprising of colluvium or sensitive geological materials
    4. In-situ terrain > 15° – < 25° slope gradient comprising of colluvium or sensitive geological materials with instability

Depending on the requirements of the governing authority, development on such project sites may be subjected to certain limitations. For example, based on the Garis Panduan Perancangan Pembangunan di Kawasan Bukit dan Tanah Tinggi , development on Class IV areas is prohibited with the exception of infrastructures e.g. roads, bridges, telecommunication facilities, structures of national interest, etc.

For any KM submissions, it is highly recommended that a preliminary slope gradient analysis is carried out ascertain the site terrain condition and the slope gradient as early as possible (even before acquiring any potential land sites for development).

There have been cases where the site terrain of a project site consists of majority Class IV terrain with various limitations, causing the entire project to enter a phase of what we call “development hell”. Another example is where the area suitable for development turns out to be only a small portion of the entire land parcel, causing the project to be no longer financially attractive or plausible.

Here is an example of a computer generated preliminary slope gradient analysis map of an unnamed project site:

Sample SGM

It can be observed that the Blue and Red (class III and IV, respectively) encompasses roughly 20% of the project site. Development on such areas will inevitably involve some relatively higher infrastructure costs and with such knowledge, the Developer can plan and make crucial decisions early on during the development planning stage.

Example of a computer generated 3D visual of the same site:

Sample3D

Should you require our services in the preparation and submission of the Geological Terrain Mapping report (Laporan Pemetaan Geologi/Laporan Penilaian Geologi), please contact us and our friendly engineers and/or geologists will be delighted to assist you. We are also offering complimentary preliminary geological and geotechnical assessment of any prospective development projects within Peninsular Malaysia.