KUALA LUMPUR – Australian rare earths miner Lynas said today it had no news of Malaysia’s decision on its operation licence, which expires next month.
It said it had noted “recent media speculation” regarding the renewal of its Malaysian plant’s operating licence, which allegedly include the relocation of the plant’s “cracking and leaching” facility to outside of the country’s borders.
“At this time, the company has not been notified of any decision by the Malaysian regulator in this matter,” said a statement issued by Lynas Rare Earths Ltd today.
This follows media reports that Putrajaya is expected to renew the operating licence for Lynas’ processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan. The licence is to expire on March 2.
Malaysiakini reported that one of the conditions is the relocation of the cracking and leaching facility which produces radioactive residue, and that the plant had to do so before July.
The Lynas plant in Gebeng had been opposed by Pakatan Harapan politicians ahead of the 2018 general election.
After the coalition won and took over the federal government, then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad renewed the plant’s licence with conditions, citing the need to preserve investments in the country. – The Vibes, February 13, 2023
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