THE Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry has decided not to allow the unlimited accumulation of waste residue at the Lynas plant in Gebeng, Pahang, due to fears of the increased risks it poses to the community.

The ministry, in a statement today, said the decision is based on a report by the Executive Review Committee on the Operations of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant.

The plant needs to meet certain prerequisites for future licences or renewal approvals, it said.

The ministry stressed that the accumulated Water Leached Purification Residue (WLPR) at the plant, which contains radioactive materials, must be removed from Malaysia.

It noted that Lynas Corporation Ltd Australia and Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd presented letters of undertaking, dated February 23, 2012 and March 6, 2012, respectively, indicating their commitment to removing the said residue from Malaysia if necessary.

The plant’s Temporary Storage Licence expires on September 2 next year.

The ministry said as for the non-radioactive Neutralisation Underflow Residue (NUFR), the plant must submit an action plan on the disposal of its accumulated waste before it can be considered for future applications under Rules 9(6) and 9(7) of the Environmental Quality Regulations (Scheduled Waste) 2005.

The current approval for the storage of scheduled waste is valid until February 15 next year.

The ministry said it views seriously the accumulation of the two primary residues at the plant, namely 451,564 tonnes of WLPR and 1.113 million tonnes of NUFR.

It said the on-site residue has been accumulating over six years, since operations began in 2012.

The site is exposed to the threat of natural disasters such as major flooding, and the risks to the surrounding community and environment will only increase as the amount of accumulated residue grows, it said.

The ministry noted that Lynas Malaysia is conducting research on the potential recycling of WLPR and NUFR into a soil conditioner named “Condisoil”.

“However, having received expert opinions, the committee reports that the duration of the studies is insufficient to conclude the matter of safety relating to the use of Condisoil.”

WLPR is a solid waste containing naturally occurring radioactive materials with a radioactivity of 6.2 Bq, and is regulated by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board in accordance with the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) and other associated regulations.

NUFR, categorised as a scheduled waste, is regulated by the Department of Environment in accordance with the Environmental 2 Quality Act 1974 under Rule 9 of the Environmental Quality Regulations. – Bernama, December 4, 2018.