KUALA LUMPUR – The Environment Department (DoE) has not rejected Lynas Rare Earths Ltd’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for a waste disposal plant in Pahang.
In clarifying reports saying otherwise, the Australian rare earth mining company said that the DoE’s client charter required a decision on any EIA report within 12 weeks of submission.
It said the project’s EIA was submitted on January 26, before the DoE requested more information on the report.
“Lynas is now working with the federal and Pahang governments to provide the information requested by the DoE,” it said in a statement today.
According to Lynas, the EIA was rejected due to the expiry of the initial 12-week period as stated on the DoE’s website.
It added that once Lynas provides the required information, the assessment of the EIA will resume as advised by the DoE.
“A further update will be provided to the market as there are significant developments in this matter,” the company added.
Yesterday, several reports emerged that the DoE had rejected Lynas’ EIA report for the proposed waste disposal plant.
Lynas, which operates its rare earth processing plant at Gebeng, Kuantan, had earlier announced in late January that the Pahang government had consented to a site at Bukit Ketam for its permanent disposal facility for water leach purification residue.
Despite Lynas’ clarification, Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung has welcomed the decision by the DoE to reject Lynas’ application for the site.
“As stated in a response by (the) Pahang DoE to Lee before this, located at the proposed site is Sg Ara which flows into Sg Riau before emptying its waters into Sg Kuantan.
“The river (Sg Kuantan) provides water resources for the Semambu water treatment plant.
“The plant supplies 781,100 consumer accounts and this project could risk affecting the quality of water supply during the groundwork, construction and operation.
“The rejection indicates that the site is unsuitable,” said Lee. – The Vibes, April 28, 2021
