Lynas Rare Earths Limited has yet to be informed of the government’s decision on the licence for its processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, which will expire on March 2.
The firm was responding to a Malaysiakini report last Saturday that the renewal is expected to include two key conditions set by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2019.
"Lynas Rare Earths Ltd notes recent media speculation regarding the conditions applicable to Lynas Malaysia’s operating licence renewal."
"At this time, the company has not been notified of any decision by the Malaysian regulator in this matter," Lynas said in a statement today.
One of the conditions is to relocate the “cracking and leaching” facility, which produces radioactive Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue, out of Malaysia before July 2023.
Whereas the other condition is for Lynas to build a permanent disposal facility (PDF).
The licence for Lynas has become a hot potato subject for Pakatan Harapan and new Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, from PKR.
Malaysiakini understands that the minister and cabinet are torn between pressure from foreign powers and the expectations within PKR as well as from voters.
Sources revealed the United States, Australian, and Japanese governments are “concerned” about whether the licence would be renewed.
The rare earth products produced by Lynas are internationally strategic resources for the US, Australia, and Japan, used in the manufacturing of smartphones, electric cars, engines for military jets, and others.
China is the biggest supplier of rare earth, with a 60 percent share of global production while other suppliers include the US, Myanmar, Australia and Madagascar.
When the trade war between US and China escalated, the US and its allies became concerned about rare earth processing industries outside of China, including in Malaysia. - Mkini
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