TO continue operating in Malaysia, Lynas must ensure its raw material imports are decontaminated prior to their arrival, and that the waste from its plant is removed, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

He said the cabinet today agreed that the company would continue operating here but on two conditions.
 
“They can continue operating if its raw materials are cleaned up before they enter the country,” Mahathir said at a press conference in Putrajaya.

“We have also imposed an extra condition that they must take away their waste. But where are they going to take it? Australia does not want it.”

Dr Mahathir said there were other companies interested in taking over Lynas’ operation in Malaysia who have promised to meet the two conditions if Lynas will not.

On Wednesday, Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd said the terms of its operating licence required the mining company to export waste from its rare earths processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang only “if necessary”.

It said this caveat was stated in a letter signed by Lynas Corp Australia and the Lynas Advance material Plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, and applicable during the validity period of the plant’s temporary operating licence.

Lynas Malaysia managing director and vice-president Mashal Ahmad said under the conditions of the operating licence granted to Lynas, removal of the waste from Malaysia was only deemed necessary if the plant could not ensure safe reuse of its waste and if it could not build a permanent disposal facility (PDF) to store the waste.
 
Recently, Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof had said Lynas should be allowed to continue to show that the government is friendly to foreign investors.

Energy, Science Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin is however adamant that Lynas must have its waste removed via export f it is to continue operating in Kuantan. – April 5, 2019.