Environmentalists sceptical of move to ban REE exports

 

An environmentalist says the production of one tonne of non-radioactive rare earth elements will generate 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Environmentalists have expressed scepticism over the government’s decision to ban the export of rare earth elements (REEs), citing the vague terminology used and concerns about the social and environmental ramifications of mining activities.

The ban was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament on Monday during the tabling of the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) Meenakshi Raman said she was not convinced by the government’s stated focus of developing new growth sources based on non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REEs).

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“Much of these rare earths come with radioactive material in them. We are not convinced that it is non-radioactive.

Meenakshi Raman.

“We think this has to be investigated and should be substantiated because we do not believe the claim is correct,” she told FMT.

Meenakshi said that according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the production of one tonne of NR-REEs will generate 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste, including 75 cubic metres of wastewater and one tonne of radioactive waste.

The plan as unveiled by the prime minister makes provision for detailed mapping and the drawing up of a comprehensive business model aimed at preserving the rare earth value chain within the country.

It is intended to prevent the exploitation of REE and resource loss, while also guaranteeing optimal returns for the nation, Anwar said.

However, Meenakshi said the issue was not whether the metals were intended for export. Instead, the real concern centres around the potential social and environmental impact resulting from mining activities.

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“Much of these minerals are in very environmentally sensitive areas.

“For us, the root problem itself is in the fundamentals of rare earth extraction and its impacts. It is good that the government announced that it is not for export because that would have caused an even bigger stress on resources,” she added.

Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) said it would monitor the government over its promise to focus on NR-REEs.

Peka president Damien Thaman Divean said the government was entitled to profit from REE mining but must actively seek and implement extraction methods that will minimise environmental damage.

“The government will not stop attempts to explore or mine REE because it has big potential to provide revenue (but) it needs to be done in a very sustainable and eco-friendly method.

“The government should spend time on developing and testing such methods,” he said.

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Damien praised the government’s desire to develop a domestic industry in the field.

He said Peka recommends that the government begin training Malaysians in the refinement of the metals, to enable them to sell at a higher price. - FMT