Malaysia’s government says U.N. nuclear experts have opened investigations into whether plans for an Australian-built rare earth refinery present any threat of radioactive pollution.
The plant currently being built by Australian miner Lynas in eastern Malaysia could curtail China’s monopoly on the supply of rare earths for making high-tech goods.
Malaysia’s trade ministry said a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency was starting talks Monday with activists worried about low-level radioactive waste from the planned plant.
Malaysian authorities are expected to decide whether to let the plant proceed with refining ore from Western Australia after the panel submits its report next month. Lynas says the plant will have state-of-the art contamination controls.
