SCIENCE, Technology and Innovation Minister Wilfred Tangau has admitted that rare earth refiner Lynas Corp had jumped the gun in saying its Condisoil product is non-toxic and non-radioactive.

He said Sirim was still conducting a safety verification test, and the final report would be released at the end of next month.

“I agree with (the) Kuantan (member of parliament) that Lynas jumped the gun, as it is still in the research process.

“Let Sirim complete its study and the Department of Environment (DoE) (will) decide,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh had earlier asked the ministry to clarify Lynas’ statement on July 19 that it had succeeded in finding a method to create Condisoil from plant residue, which had received Sirim’s safety confirmation.

Tangau also said Lynas had submitted an application to DoE, seeking approval to use Condisoil.

On July 21, The Star reported that Lynas Malaysia vice-president Mashal Ahmad had said the company was close to having its residue-derived soil conditioner product in the market.

He said the water leach purification residue at the Lynas advanced materials plant would be converted into the Condisoil product over time.

“We are in the process of registering Condisoil with DoE and the Department of Agriculture.

“Approval is expected very soon,” he was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Condisoil has been confirmed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and Nuclear Malaysia as non-radioactive, and Sirim has confirmed it to be non-carcinogenic and non-ecotoxic. – July 25, 2017.