KUALA LUMPUR – The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has extended the operations of Australian-based Lynas Rare Earths in the country until March 2026.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said this came after amendments made on its licensing terms, including the permission to import raw materials containing naturally radioactive materials.
Additionally, AELB also allowed the continuation of cracking and leaching activities.
However, this is subjected to the condition that Lynas ensures the radioactive content in the Water Leach Purification residue is below one becquerel per gram (Bq/g).
Chang said this was in line with the government’s initial intention not to allow continuous accumulation of radioactive waste, as the extraction of thorium will not produce it.
“Our concern before this is that we do not want the continuous accumulation of radioactive waste in Malaysia. So, we do not allow (Lynas) to import and process (raw materials),”
“With the (thorium extraction) technology today, they can extract thorium from either the waste or the lanthanide concentration stock.
“Then, they go through cracking and leaching processes. The waste will become scheduled waste, as it has a radioactivity under 1Bq/g,” he told a press conference at the National Space Agency, today.
Nonetheless, Chang said this was a win-win situation, as it solves the problem of “millions of tonnes” of existing waste in the nation.
As the radioactive waste will become scheduled waste, he added that there would no longer be a need to permanently keep them in permanent disposal facilities.
Chang said that Lynas will also have to ensure its procedures are successful within the time limit, following a confirmation by the ministry’s team of its feasibility.
He added that a separate site is not necessary for the extraction process, as Lynas can operate within their compounds.
The Tanjong Malim MP also explained that thorium can be sold as commodities and used in other sectors, but Lynas would have to find the markets.
Previously, Lynas planned to shut down its operations in Malaysia by the end of the year, barring a mixed rare earth carbonate processing plant.
In May, Malaysia gave Lynas a six-month extension to fulfil the conditions of its operating license in the country.
Several terms given to the firm were to conduct crack and leaching activities in Australia, and that no radioactive waste was to be produced in Malaysia.
Nonetheless, Lynas repeatedly claimed that its operations were safe and that the implementation of such licensing conditions would lead to job losses in the nation.
Lynas saw a 21.8% drop in its first quarter sales revenue to US$81.04 million (approximately RM387 million) – missing its estimate of US$100.49 million. – October 24, 2023