The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has clarified that there is no issue that Lynas Corporation would not remove residue from its rare earth plant in Kuantan out of Malaysia.
Its executive secretary Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan said Lynas was legally bound to ensure that all residue was removed and that AELB would enforce it.
He stressed that the management and removal of the residue was an “integral part” of the temporary operating license (TOL) conditions and agreements.
“It is permanently documented in the licence document issued to Lynas on September 5, 2012,” he said.
He said the matter of residue removal had been clearly stated in AELB’s January 30 decision regarding the TOL.
Lynas, he said, previously submitted two letters of undertaking from Lynas Australia and Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which had committed to remove the residue out of Malaysia.
“This commitment was also publicly announced by Lynas in their various press statements/sessions, notably on August 27, 29 and 30, this year, which was reported extensively both in Australia and Malaysia,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz said the TOL approved to Lynas Malaysia was subject to the conditions imposed, including an additional two under subsection 32(5) of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act.
On Thursday, AELB issued a TOL to Lynas, effective from September 3 until September 2, 2014, which will enable the plant to start operations.
It said it was satisfied that the company had fulfilled all technical aspects and regulatory requirements, including making a commitment to remove water leach purification residue from Malaysia.
