CONTROVERSIAL rare earth miner Lynas has yet to receive any change to its licensing conditions amid speculation it will no longer be allowed to produce radioactive waste in Malaysia. 

The Australian-based company is currently seeking a three-year renewal of its operating licence, which expires in March. 

“Lynas Rare Earths Ltd notes recent media speculation regarding the conditions applicable to Lynas Malaysia’s operating licence renewal. 

“At this time, the company has not been notified of any decision by the Malaysian regulator in this matter,” it said in a statement today. 

It has been widely reported that Lynas will be barred from producing radioactive waste. 

Malaysiakini and Singapore’s The Straits Times have published reports quoting sources, stating that the mining company must relocate its cracking and leaching facility out of Malaysia before July, and only refine intermediate materials at its facility in Gebeng, if it hopes to renew its licence. 

Back in 2019, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Lynas would be allowed to continue operating its processing plant in Gebeng.  

However, he added the government would have to renew the company’s licence as it did not want to lose such a large investment.   

In August the same year, Lynas Malaysia was given a six-month conditional extension to its operating licence, with three conditions imposed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).  

The announcement for the extension was made by the AELB on August 15. – February 13, 2023.