Lynas plant may be retained if no radioactive waste produced, says minister

PETALING JAYA: Australian rare earth materials producer Lynas may retain their cracking and leaching (C&L) plant in Malaysia if no radioactive waste materials are in the country, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

“If someone is willing to ship the ‘low-risk radioactive waste’ (as claimed) out of our country, the government can consider retaining the C&L plant in Gebeng,” Chang tweeted.

The operating licences of Lynas Malaysia were extended until March 2, 2026.

However, Chang said no C&L activities can be carried out in the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng after July this year.

Lynas has since criticised the decision and said it could result in hundreds of job losses.

Aside from relocating its C&L operations, Lynas was also required to build a permanent disposal facility to store its existing waste since its operations began in 2012.

After July 1 this year, Lynas is also not allowed to import and process rare earth concentrates.