KUALA LUMPUR – Several lawmakers have questioned the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry over its decision to extend the operating licence of Lynas Malaysia’s rare earth processing plant.
This came after Lynas revealed its laboratory-stage proof of concept, which claimed that radioactive materials can be extracted.
Chow Yu Hui (Raub-PH) asked about the funds that Lynas will allocate to clean up the radioactive waste in its factory, which he said has reached more than one million tonnes.
“We know Lynas’ radioactive waste has reached one million tonnes and is placed behind its factory, like a mountain. What is the cost that will be invested by Lynas to clean all the waste by using thorium extraction?
“We know this experiment has proof of concept that it can extract thorium, but how many tonnes have they tried on?
“We have to remember that we need to extract thorium that has reached one million tonnes. This is not a small number,” he asked during the winding-up speech for the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s committee-level debate.
Earlier during the debate session, Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) questioned whether Lynas is trustworthy, following a series of “unkept promises”.
He added that a proof of concept is merely a demonstration at the preliminary stages, and is not an established matter.
“Previously, (Lynas) said the radioactive materials contain high Water Leached Purification (WLP) toxicity and expressed commitment to reduce it. It failed to do so.
“When it wanted to extend its licence, we gave some terms that they must conduct their cracking and leaching activities in Australia. They have not completed (their facilities there).
“Then, they said they can make a soil conditioner. Six years of research and development and nothing (has been presented).”
Subsequently, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang explained that thorium extraction was not a new procedure, and Malaysia is undergoing it because the nation lacked rare earth mines.
He added that about 700 tonnes of thorium could be extracted from the WLP amounting to 1.2 million tonnes, which in turn would turn the latter into non-radioactive scheduled waste.
To avoid being “played”, Chang also said the Atomic Energy Licencing Board (AELB) will monitor the company’s progress periodically.
Last month, AELB extended Lynas’ operations in the country until March 2026, following amendments made to its licensing terms.
The amendments include the permission to import raw materials containing naturally radioactive materials, as well as the continuation of cracking and leaching activities, granted that Lynas ensures the radioactive content is below one becquerel per gram (Bq/g).
One becquerel (Bq) is equal to one radioactive decay per second. A normal activity level in an adult is 100 Bq/kg, equivalent to 7,000 Bq.
Last month, Lynas was planning to shut down its operations in Malaysia by the end of the year, except for a mixed rare earth carbonate processing plant.
According to its parent company’s quarterly report, minimal raw material would be processed during the shutdown, which is expected to start mid-November. – November 16, 2023