SMSL : Gov't shouldn't allow Lynas process more rare earth ore

The government needs to turn down the application from Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd to raise the lanthanide concentrate processing limit for this year, said Stop Lynas Save Malaysia (SMSL) chairperson Tan Bun Teet.

He questioned if Lynas revealed the full details of the composition of lanthanide concentrate imported into its refinery plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

The retired teacher-turn-activist linked the drastic increase of the Water Leach Purification (WLP) radioactive residue to the lanthanide concentrate which he suspected contains a high level of thorium and uranium.

However, the Australian miner brushed off the allegation by Tan, saying Lynas has been providing accurate information to the government.

"Continued commentary from unqualified and uninformed commentators has no scientific basis, and Lynas Malaysia fully supports the Prime Minister’s view that decisions should be based on advice from experts," said Lynas in an email to Malaysiakini.

This is the second time Lynas applied to increase the processing limit of the lanthanide concentrate. The government turned down Lynas' first application last year, causing the plant to shut down operations in December 2018.

Speaking with Malaysiakini, Tan explained: "Lanthanide concentrate is another name for the rare earth ore that is imported from Australia and processed in Gebeng plant since day one of Lynas' operation."

"Why there is so much WLP? It shows they contained thorium and uranium," he said.

Lynas reportedly has produced 637,581 tonnes of WLP radioactive residue as of Sept 24, 2019, up from 451,564 tonnes in December last year.

"The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) should not allow Lynas to import more rare earth ore into Malaysia," he said.

"Lynas submitted a set of documents, dubbed 'Radioactive Waste Management Plan' to the government. It lists the composition of lanthanide concentrate, but we feel what was submitted was not comprehensive," he said.

He said the authorities should set up a third party mechanism to inspect the composition of the lanthanide concentrate itself, instead of just relying on the information given by Lynas.

Lynas, with its new factory building coming into operation next May, is eyeing to increase its production of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) for profit, according to Tan.

He said Lynas has yet to come out with a comprehensive plan to deal with its residue.

He was referring to the WLP residue stockpiled at the temporary residue storage facility, and the million-tonne neutralisation underflow (NUF) residue place at the back of the plant.

In its email, Lynas Malaysia said its application to increase the processing limit of lanthanide concentrate is "related to the increased capacity delivered from the recent investments".

"Lynas Malaysia is committed to growing its contribution to the Malaysian economy. In 2017/2018, we invested approximately RM70 million in improving plant efficiency, which enables an increase in the production of finished goods at the plant," said Lynas.

"Lynas Malaysia has always and will continue to provide Malaysian regulators and other relevant parties with accurate information as requested and in accordance with regulation.

"We co-operated fully with the four properly constituted scientific reviews of its business operations, the most recent being the Pakatan Harapan government’s 2018 Executive Review Committee," said Lynas.

Lynas, however, did not reveal the extra amount of lanthanide concentrate it needed. - Mkini