KUALA LUMPUR – Lynas Malaysia has been granted a six-month extension to fulfil the conditions to stop producing radioactive waste in the country, confirmed Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
In a statement today, Chang said the extension was granted after taking into consideration the disruption to the global supply of rare earth materials.
On April 28, the government rejected Lynas’ application to remove the four main conditions imposed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board on the mining firm related to their operating licence.
“However, after taking into account issues of disruption on the global supply of rare earth materials, I have agreed to extend its (Lynas) cracking and leaching (C&L) operations until December 31, 2023.
“Therefore, by January 1, 2024, Lynas must ensure that their C&L factory overseas must begin operations and Lynas is not allowed to import raw materials possessing radioactive elements to Malaysia.”
Chang said the decision was made with consideration to public safety and health.
The Tg Malim MP also assured that the government is committed to a sustainable and responsible rare earth industry in the country.
Lynas had appealed to the government to allow the firm to operate beyond the previous July 1, 2023 deadline.
The government did not grant Lynas’ request to drop conditions related to “cracking and leaching” activity, waste generation of Water Leach Purification, and the import of lanthanide concentrates from Australia.
The appeal is a last-ditch effort to ensure that the rare earth miner can continue operations in Gebeng, Kuantan after July 1.
The company had previously repeatedly defended itself, claiming that its operations were safe and stressing that such licensing conditions would result in a loss of jobs in Malaysia.
Yesterday, The Straits Times reported that the extension was granted after the Australian rare earth mining firm’s appeal hearing late last month against the condition which was part of its operating licence renewal for three years until 2026. – The Vibes, May 8, 2023
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