KUALA LUMPUR – There have been discrepancies between statements issued by Nuklear Malaysia and the government on Lynas Malaysia’s thorium extraction plans, said three DAP lawmakers today.
In a press conference at Parliament today, Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH), Tan Hong Pin (Bakri-PH), and Chow Yu Hui (Raub-PH), disputed the feasibility of Lynas extending its cracking and leaching (C&L) activities here.
Khoo said Nuklear Malaysia deputy director-general Muhammad Rawi Mohamed Zin’s admission that the agency was the one who proposed the thorium plan, which contradicted the statement by the government where the plan was proposed by Lynas, and was subsequently accepted by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).
“It is clear that (Rawi’s) statement contradicted the government’s. We want an explanation from the government as to whether this is an initiative by Lynas or Nuklear Malaysia.
“We also want the government to explain what and where the thorium market is, as we do not want Lynas to come forward two years later and claim that (thorium extraction) was not its intention.”
Tan also pointed out that the form of extraction is still in the experimental phase, even at the international level.
He said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) described thorium extraction as a challenging process, requiring a hefty budget.
“To ensure that the marketing process follows a schedule and obeys safety standards, we have to consider the technical challenge raised by IAEA.
“What steps are the government taking to overcome this issue, and ensure that Lynas adheres to international standards and manages its radioactive waste.”
Meanwhile, Chow reiterated that government experts did not disclose the amount of thorium sampled in Lynas’ laboratory-level research, and urged the government to review the procedure.
He also suggested Lynas carry out its cracking and leaching activities in Australia, claiming that it would be more profitable for the company.
Chow and Khoo had previously raised their concerns in Dewan Rakyat over Lynas’ extended licence.
Chow asked about the funds that Lynas will allocate to clean up the radioactive waste in its factory – which he said has reached more than one million tonnes – while Khoo disputed the company’s trustworthiness following a series of “unkept promises”.
Recently, Lynas also retracted its applications for judicial review of the government’s decision on its operating licence conditions, which initially prohibited the import and processing of lanthanide concentrate after January 1, 2024.
In October, AELB extended Lynas’ operations in Malaysia until March 2026, following amendments made to its licensing terms.
They include the permission to import raw materials containing naturally radioactive materials, as well as the continuation of C&L activities – granted that Lynas ensures the radioactive content is below one becquerel per gram (Bq/g).
One becquerel (Bq) is equal to one radioactive decay per second. A normal activity level in an adult is 100 Bq/kg, equivalent to 7,000 Bq.
Last month, Lynas was planning to shut down its operations in Malaysia by the end of the year, except for a mixed rare earth carbonate processing plant.
According to its parent company’s quarterly report, minimal raw material would be processed during the shutdown, which is expected to start mid-November. – November 23, 2023