KUALA LUMPUR: The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) will not likely approve the pre-operations licence to Australia’s Lynas Corp Ltd’s rare earth plant in Pahang if the long-term waste management strategy documents are not submitted to the agency.
Construction of the RM700 million rare earth oxides plant by Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Lynas Corporation Australia, at the Gebeng Industrial Estate created a controversy following claims that it would emit radiation which could be detrimental to public health.
The waste by-products of the plant, which contain the radioactive element “thorium” stirred public protest.
AELB director-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan said the pre-operations licence would not be approved without the waste management strategies even if the outcome of the international expert panel was favourable to Lynas.
“This is because complying to all operational regulations, safety requirements and security measures is the top priority of the AELB when approving licences and it is vital for Lynas to adhere to,” he told Bernama.
The AELB, an agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, said the outcome from the expert panel appointed by the International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to be out on June 30. — Bernama