LYNAS Malaysia Sdn Bhd today withdrew its applications for a judicial review of the government’s decision on its operating licence conditions prohibiting the import and processing of lanthanide concentrate after January 1, 2024.

Lawyer Cecil Abraham, representing Lynas, said this during online proceedings before High Court judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

Cecil said Lynas and the government had agreed to the terms of a proposed draft order.

“Therefore, Lynas withdraws the two judicial review applications,” said the lawyer.

Federal counsel Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali, who appeared for the Attorney-General’s Chambers, confirmed the matter.

Judge Wan Ahmad Farid recorded the withdrawal of the two applications with no order as to costs.

On August 22, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted leave to the rare earth mining firm to initiate the two judicial review proceedings against the government.

In July, Lynas filed two separate judicial reviews, naming the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) as respondents.

Lynas, in a media statement, said the legal challenge was filed to quash the conditions barring the import and processing of lanthanide concentrate after January 1 next year.

On May 9, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the government is not shutting down Lynas’ operations, but the company will not be allowed to carry out “cracking and leaching” (C&L) activities in the country after December 31.

He said the decision to extend the period for the factory to carry out C&L activities for another six months is to prevent a shortage in supply of rare earth globally.

Previously, Mosti also announced that Lynas’ appeal against dropping four licensing conditions set by the AELB was rejected after a hearing was held on April 28. – Bernama, November 14, 2023.