Lynas expresses disappointment at special caucus' lack of interest in plant visit

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd has expressed disappointment with a special parliamentary caucus committee tasked with monitoring its operations in the country for not availing itself of the opportunity to visit its plant.

"This is disappointing as many assertions made by the committee are incorrect and we wish to ensure that all members have access to the facts," Lynas Malaysia managing director and vice president Datuk Mashal Ahmad said in a statement today.

An invitation had also been extended to the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister to visit the plant or to receive a briefing on its operations. Even so, all but one member of the "caucus" had either declined or not responded to its hand-delivered invitation, Marshal said, noting this was in contrast with the "diligent, scientific approach" of the Pakatan Harapan government's review committee, appointed by the minister last year.

"Following this, the review committee found Lynas Malaysia's operations are low risk, compliant with relevant regulations, and residue storage facilities are operated in a proper manner.

"These findings are consistent with several independent and scientific reviews, including by the International Atomic Energy Agency," he said.

Marshal noted the review committee also made recommendations, including for Lynas Malaysia to site and build a permanent disposal facility (PDF) for water leached purification (WLP) residue — a proposal he said Lynas Malaysia is prepared to comply with.

The rare earth processing company noted the three operating licences given by the federal government require Lynas Malaysia to carry out research and development on the safe reuse of the WLP residue generated.

"If that proves impractical, the licence conditions require Lynas Malaysia to site, construct and build a PDF to store the WLP residue. Lynas Malaysia is only required to export the WLP out of Malaysia if both of the previous options are not available." — theedgemarkets.com

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