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Malaysia has told Lynas Corp (ASX:LYC), the Australian miner with a rare earth elements processing plant on the country’s east coast, to remove the radioactive waste collected as a result of its activities over the past six years if it wants to continue to operate.
Among the conditions set by the country’s Energy and Environment Ministry, the miner must also submit an action plan for non-radioactive waste disposal for future licences or permission renewals.
The “management of the waste residue from the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) should be given priority to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the environment”, the ministry said in a statement.
Waste needs to be removed by September 2, 2019, when Lynas’ temporary storage licence expires.
The decision follows a review of the company’s operations in the Southeast Asian country kicked off by the new government, which took power in May.
The six-year-old facility — known as the Lynas Advance Material Plant (LAMP) — was the centre of relentless attacks from environmental groups and local residents while under construction in 2012. They feared about the impact the low-level radioactive waste the refinery generates could have on the health of those living nearby and the environment.
In October, the company’s chief executive and managing director, Amanda Lacaze raised concerns about the impartiality of a couple of members of the committee reviewing its operations, as both are known for being long time opponents of having the refinery in Malaysia.
That led to minister Fuziah Salleh, who chaired the inquiry group, to step down and the committee letting Lynas continue storing residues at the plant, while it awaited the decision on a longer-term application.
“I am especially relieved that Lynas will have to remove its hazardous waste from Malaysia,” Salleh said applauding the decision. “A responsible corporation would have made sure that its wastes have a realistic and safe disposal mechanism before commencing its operations to generate them.”
Sydney-based Lynas is one of the world’s main suppliers of rare earths outside China. The metallic elements, crucial in the production of magnets, are extracted in Western Australia, but processed in Malaysia.
Its temporary storage licence for radioactive residue in the province of Kuantan is up for renewal in September 2019, while its approval for non-radioactive waste storage is valid until February 2019.
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The government inquiry into Lynas’ operations found the company to be in compliance with all laws and to use best operating practices. The report stated that there was no rise in radiation to the surrounding environment. It stated that there was no increase in health problems caused by radiation. The committee made positive statements regarding the company’s practices. The committee found the company to be safe.
The honest action would be to make a public declaration that the review found the company to be harmless. But if they did this, the current government would endanger themselves. It would show that they created public fear and hysteria based on lies. It would have meant that they stoked public fear as a political tool to get into power. If the government did nothing, the public would see this government as hypocrites,
This decision was to save face. If they did not force the company into a cleanup, the public would still fear radiation and environmental contamination.
This government is now seen as saviors of the public good (even though no harm was found).
This has nothing to do with the conscientious operation of an honest company. It has to do with political survival of self righteous liars who will destroy innocent entities – so that these politicians can get into power and keep it.