The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Lynas Corporation Ltd’s rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang, is safe but the Australian company must undertake improvements in various technical areas before it can proceed to the next stage of operations.
A report issued by the nuclear watchdog Thursday said it did not find any instance of “any non-compliance with international radiation safety standards” in the project.
However, an IAEA review team identified 10 issues for which it considered improvements were necessary before the next licensing phase of the Lynas project.
In a joint statement, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the IAEA conclusion was consistent with the Government’s view that Malaysia’s Atomic Energy Licensing Board and the Department of Environment had professionally discharged their duties and ensured that Lynas complied with the necessary safety standards.
The report pointed out that Malaysian laws and regulations regarding radiation safety were comprehensive and conformed to IEAE standards.
Meanwhile, Lynas chairman Nicholas Curtis said the plant would be completed and commissioned by the end of this year, reports Lee Yen Mun.
Addressing the local and international media here Thursday, Curtis said the company was confident of fulfilling the recommendations for improvement listed by the IAEA.
He also refuted allegations in a New York Times report which claimed the plant had construction and design flaws, saying there was “no truth in that report at all”.
“However, we acknowledge that we have not done enough to engage with the community in Kuantan and we will correct that now.
“We intend to increase our commitment to community engagement and to engage in a long term conversation with the residents of Kuantan that will continue for the life of our plant,” he said.
